Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #7
Copyright (c) 2002 : http://www.ground-z.org
July 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 eBook
7. Design Review
8. Recommended Software
9. Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy
10. Final Thoughts
11. Newsletter Details


- 1.Introduction -

Welcome to Issue #7 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about how banners are under performing, we also have the usual recommended resources, software, eBook, promotion tip and design review.

Be sure to visit Groundzero @ http://www.ground-z.org and have a look at our new "Website Package" section. It features high quality services and products that make it easy to quickly put up a new website or completely redesign and relaunch an old one.

The "Website Package" section features very affordable services and products that include registering a domain name, web hosting, webpage design and website promotion. Even if you don't need these services at the present time you can recommend this section to newbies who are looking to get a website up but have no idea where to start.

Don't forget that you can send in feedback about this ezine. Tell me what you like (or dislike) about it and what you would like to to see in future issues. You wouldn't believe how valuable feedback is, a few issues ago I got various comments about how a couple of sections were not very productive so I got rid of them and replaced them with more useful information (I do listen).

It's also great when you guys say hello.


- 2.Recommended Resources -

Wordtracker Free Keyword Report
http://www.wordtracker.com/report.html
The Wordtracker free keyword report sends you the top 500 frequently searched words on the Internet straight to your inbox. It is completely free, published each Saturday and distributed to over 76956 webmasters. You also have the option of excluding adult rated keywords.

Free Web Templates
http://www.freewebtemplates.com
At Free Web Templates you can get free website templates and webpage layouts. Template categories include Business, DHTML, Flash and Other with more precise themes that include corporate, ecommerce, portal, digital, metallic and other categorical sets and webpage designs.

ASP Resource Index
http://www.aspin.com
The ASP Resource Index is a directory of ASP (Active Server Pages) tutorials, applications, scripts, components and articles for the novice, intermediate and professional developer. The ASP Resource Index has ready to run ASP scripts and components for webmasters of all levels.


- 3.Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero -

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

1 : A Best Web
2 : Shareasale
3 : Group Mail
4 : Commission Junction
5 : iPowerWeb
6 : Trafficology
7 : Sitepoint Tribune
8 : iFoundIt
9 : Vibrant Media
10 : Logo Creator

The top 10 list can update during the month.


- 4.Editors Corner -

"468 x 60 banners really are being ignored"

During the month of June I did a complete redesign of an old website of mine. Changes included a totally different color scheme, new layout, new graphics, new content (writing and images), better search engine optimization and advertising placement. It looks completely different to the old design.

The main reason for the change was because traffic is increasing on a monthly basis so I really wanted to make the design look better (I really wasn't happy with it's current look). I also wanted to put a little bit more advertising on the pages without making it look like a banner farm.

Each page of that website now has a 468 x 60 banner, 4 text links composing of 2-3 words and a 120 x 60 box. I placed the banner right next to the site logo and had mixed it in with the site navigation. The text links were placed under a"Partner Sites" section located 2 thirds down the page on the extreme right. The 120 x 60 box was placed directly under that with a text heading.

I am well aware of the fact that 468 x 60 banner ads have a tendency to be ignored by visitors (especially at a content site). My plan was to give the banner a prominent location on the webpage surrounded by the sites navigation and logo and target the advertising as best as I could so it couldn't be ignored by anyone. Easier said than done.

I felt I had succeeded in making the banners more prominent and noticeable but holy cow, they are really under performing. Don't get me wrong, they are producing a few clicks here and there but their click thru ratios and conversion rates are nothing compared to the small text links and 120 x 60 box.

I knew the 120 x 60 box would perform, it has a habit of doing that but I didn't think the small text links that comprise of only 2 or 3 words would do as well as they are doing. I know targeting the ads has a little something (well, quite a lot) to do with it because this site has been up for nearly 4 years now and I have a good idea of what the audience is composed of and what they are interested in.

Because of this and past experience, I am definitely going to cut back on the use of 468 x 60 banners on future sites. I have 2 websites in the planning stages (1 of them is nearly ready to go) and I had already planned on leaving banners out of 1 of them (thus concentrating on the products) but it looks like I'm going to do the same for the other. I could still add banners in future sites.

I'm not going to completely abandon banners, there are websites out there that do well with them on a regular basis and banner exchanges can be good for a little bit of traffic and some website branding.

If you take a good look around at Groundzero you should notice that 85% of the pages have a 468 x 60 banner, but do you know how many different banner creatives there are and how many websites they point to? Take a look, you might be a little surprised.


- 5.Promotion Tip -

BannerAdXChange offers webmasters targeted traffic via a free 1:2 banner exchange system advertising. Display 468 x 60 banners on your site and your banner of the same size is displayed on a network of member's websites. You can select categories to display your banner on and block unwanted categories from appearing on your webpages.

BannerAdXChange also offers your site targeted traffic at very competitive advertising rates with full time 24/7 reporting and stats of your campaign. Payments are made via Paypal with traffic plans starting as low as $10.00 and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Over the years I have had varying experiences with banner exchanges (nothing extremely bad). I've used this exchange with good results compared to other similar services (I actually got traffic). Depending on the "clickability" of your banner, the amount of traffic you already have and the type of your website, results will vary.

Even if you don't produce a lot of traffic by using BannerAdXChange you still get the advantage of branding for your website(s). This is because your banner is being shown on high quality sites (just view the "top 25 sites" for proof) and not banner only junk pages.

BannerAdXChange - http://www.abestweb.com/be


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : Web Design in 7 Days
Size : 158KB
Price : Free
Minimum Requirements : Adobe Acrobat Reader
URL : http://www.want2learn.com/ebk_web.htm

This eBook is a free course for learning web design through HTML. This version starts right from the basics and is very suitable for HTML newbies. It highlights the use and look of HTML code through in-depth explanation and examples.

Even though you are all well past the newbie stage, this eBook is ideal to present to those who are just starting out at making their own webpages. If you're like me and you constantly get questions from people with no webpage experience then just give them this free eBook.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : Filmsets by Gert Schidor
Type : Portfolio and Biography
URL : http://www.filmsets.com.au

Gert Schidor is an Art Director, Production and Set Designer with over 20 years of experience. This website displays his work with detailed information and photos.

What really stands out about this website is it's opening Flash display. I'm not really a fan of Flash introductions or presentation pages but this is one of the few websites I have seen that has actually made good use of it.

The first thing I noticed about the opening Flash sequence was the film theme, it makes total sense because Gert works in the film industry. I usually despise sound on webpages but it works here by tying in with the film theme again. The last thing I noticed was that the animation was very smooth giving it a very professional look and feel.

As I said before, I'm not really a fan of Flash intro pages but I do admit that when used properly, it can be a visual treat as long as it's not overdone. Filmsets by Gert Schidor is a good example of this.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : Lavasoft Ad-aware
Type : Spyware Removal
Size : 871KB
Price : Free
Operating System : Win9x/Me/Nt40/2000/Xp
URL : http://www.lavasoftusa.com/aaw.html

Ad-aware is a multi spyware removal utility, that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware/scumware components and lets you remove them safely. Many options like scanning depth or automatic modes can be set in the preferences menu. Ad-aware has an easy to use interface that guides you through the scanning and removal process.

If you don't have this excellent tool yet then I recommend you get it straight away. If you already have Ad-aware then you already now how valuable it is so it's up to you to recommend it to your website audience. A great tool to fight against spy and scumware.


- 9.Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy -

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter then please feel free to contact me by e-mail. You can also send in any feedback about the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. I love receiving e-mail so feel free to send in a message to just say hello or, if you need any help (website wise) then send in a question that I might be able to help you with.

contact - webmaster@ground-z.org
unsubscribe - unsubscribe@ground-z.org
subscribe - subscribe@ground-z.org

I absolutely despise SPAM and I will respect your privacy. I will not share or sell your e-mail address with anyone, I will not 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 with me will remain confidential.


- 10.Final Thoughts -

I hope you enjoyed Issue #7 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. Remember you can always read past issues of this newsletter on the website and the next issue will be sent out August 28th 2002. Please feel free to send any feedback or comments you may have about this newsletter.

If you want to recommend some webmaster resources/websites, eBooks, software or any well designed websites then let me know, even if it's yours. If it benefits others then I'll feature it in an issue of this newsletter so send it in.

If you want to just say hello then go for it!

If you think you know someone who might be interested in reading this newsletter then do them 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 and you think that this newsletter is useful then feel free to put a link on your website pointing to http://www.ground-z.org

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


- 11.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.