Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #10
Copyright (c) 2002 : http://www.ground-z.org
October 28 2002 : All Rights Reserved
Editor : Rik Tairea - webmaster@ground-z.org

The Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter is a free monthly eZine created for webmasters and website owners who are looking for useful resources, tools, editorials, software, eBooks, promotion and design tips to help get the most out of a website. For in-depth reviews of webmaster resources and website tools, articles, books, software, awards and past newsletter issues then visit 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 #10 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about statistics, we have a parasite/scumware special in the "Recommended Resources" section and we have the usual promotion tip, eBook, website design and software reviews.

Be sure to visit http://www.ground-z.org/resources.html and read all the new webmaster resources and website tools that have been added over the past month.

About a week ago I read a very interesting article on affiliate commission hijacking. This is where affiliate commissions are subverted by software plug-ins on consumers web browsers that cause the affiliate commissions to be channeled to software developers and other organizations, rather than to the affiliates whose links direct the consumer to the merchant's site. Read the full article.

Affiliate Commission Hijacking Alert
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, E-Commerce Consultant
Web Marketing Today, Issue 117, October 9, 2002
http://www.wilsonweb.com/wmt7/affil_hijack.htm

All past eZine issues are posted in the newsletter section at http://www.ground-z.org/newsletter.html so if you have missed anything then check it out. If you think you know anyone who might benefit from this newsletter then be sure to send them along to the the website.

Groundzero - http://www.ground-z.org

Enjoy this months issue!


- 2.Recommended Resources -

Parasiteware :
http://www.parasiteware.com
Parasiteware is software you download that is bundled with other applications or as deceptive downloads. It can add links to sites for which the original owner does not get paid for and hijacks the affiliate link on their pages. Find our more about this problem and which programs are infected.

Fight Scumware :
http://kresch.com/resources/Fight_Scumware
This site makes it easy to find resources for webmasters to get rid of scumware. Scumware inserts hyperlinks and alters the content of your webpage without your permission.

Antiadbuster :
http://www.antiadbuster.com
Antiadbuster is a server side application that protects your website from Ad Blockers, Popup Blockers, Cookie Blockers, Offline Leechers and Grabbers, E-mail Harvesters and Java Script Blockers. Written completely in PHP, it also protects your site from dangerous offline grabbers and leechers.


- 3.Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero -

Here are the top 10 rated webmaster resources reviewed at Groundzero. Visit the "Webmaster Resources" section and read in-depth reviews on various website tools, guides, affiliate networks, traffic generators and software. New webmaster resources are added weekly and are rated out of 5.00.

1 - Logo Creator
2 - iPowerWeb
3 - A Best Web
4 - Shareasale
5 - Group Mail
6 - Affiliate Talk
7 - Ulead Cool 3D
8 - CoffeeCup HTML Editor
9 - vBulletin
10 - Fineclicks


- 4.Editors Corner -

"Statistics - Statistics - Statistics"

Before becoming a webmaster statistics weren't a priority in my life, that was around 5 years ago (way back in the old 20th century). Now it seems I can't live with out them and I have now become a stats addict (I know, admitting it is the first step).

One of the first things I do when I get up in the morning is check my e-mail and various website and affiliate related stats. I can't help it because it's just become apart of my daily routine, so much so that I plan my day "after" I've checked what's been happening in the online world.

Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about and some of you are wondering what the big deal is? Let me tell you something, I can't live without statistics and I realized that statistical analysis has been the reason for my increase in website traffic and revenue.

For example, website log files that detail everything I want and need to know about my visitors provide a wealth of very valuable information. I know how they found the site, where they came from, what they were looking for, etc, etc, etc.

Why would I want to know this stuff? Simple, if I know what people are looking for then I can make it easier for them to find it. This is great, especially if you're trying to promote or sell a product or service.

For another example, I found out that some webmasters were looking for a certain product so I found a product that did the job that they wanted, did some research on it and produced a review page for it. I made sure it was easily found on the website (from the front page) and I made sure the page was optimized for search engines (mainly Google). That page now receives some good traffic.

Since I was also selling said product I had to make sure I analyzed statistics on the affiliate marketing side of things as well. This includes keeping an eye on click thru and conversion rates and ratios, because if the product wasn't being purchased at a satisfactory rate then I could redirect my promotion efforts else where.

That's just a very small sample of what statistical analyzes can accomplish. I could (and did) analyze where my traffic was coming from so that I could see what promotion methods were working the best, the list is endless.

Oh how I love statistics.


- 5.Promotion Tip -

Link Buddies Banner Exchange
http://www.linkbuddies.com

The Link Buddies system is based on the principle of helping others. You help others by placing advertisements on your webpage, and in turn others help you by advertising your site on their webpages.

As a Publisher, you add a bit of HTML Code to your web site that will display advertisements from other Link Buddies members. As an Advertiser, you create and manage ads to promote your site. For every two visitors you have to your site, you earn an impression and your ad will be displayed on one of 30,000 different Link Buddies member sites.

Link Buddies provides three different ad sizes for you. You can use any or all of them. If you place an ad of a specific size on your site as a publisher, you only earn impressions to advertise your site with the same size ad. Sizes include the 468x60 banner, 90x60 box and 88x31 button.


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : Installing CGI
Price : Free
URL : http://e-book.hypermart.net/download/InstallingCGI.exe

Knowing how to install CGI scripts can open up an entirely new world with endless potential for your website, plus it's not nearly as difficult as most people think. This eBook is full of tutorials that will walk you through setting up most CGI scripts from start to finish.

CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface. It is a method of understanding the transference of data that allows your computer to exchange information with a web server.

CGI scripts can be written in many languages such as ASP, C, TCL, Python, Cold Fusion, and Perl. Since most people primarily use Perl and the vast majority of CGI Scripts written are in Perl, that will be the focus of this Book


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : MedAfford
Type : Health Care Savings
URL : http://www.medafford.com

The MedAfford site details a reduced fee for service plan where members get substantially reduced fees in return for payment at the time of service. This website is a past winner of the Groundzero Design Award.

Pay special attention to the layout and color scheme. It combines good uses of different blue color shades and employs an attractive layout that flows well and is easy on the eyes. Another thing to make note of is the of a good text size and professional look, this makes it easier to sell it's product to customers.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : WebLog Expert
Type : log analyzer
Size : 995 KB
Price : $74.95
Operating System : Windows (all)
URL : http://www.weblogexpert.com

WebLog Expert is a very powerful access log analyzer. It will give you information about your website's visitor activity statistics, what files visitors accessed, paths through the site, information about referring pages, search engines, browsers, operating systems and more. The program produces easy-to-read HTML reports that include both text information and charts.

Features include :
- general, activity and access statistics
- visitor information (host, domains, countries, etc)
- referrers, URLs, search engines, phrases and keywords
- Browsers, operating systems and spiders statistics
- error types, detailed 404 error information
- and much more


- 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 #10 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 November 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 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

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 Groundzero @ http://www.ground-z.org

Thanks for your time and stay safe.
Rik Tairea :)


- 11.Newsletter Details -

You are receiving the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter because you submitted your e-mail address by way of e-mail or a sign-up form located at Groundzero. If you do not wish to receive this publication anymore then use 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 eZine 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.