Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #11
Copyright (c) 2002 : http://www.ground-z.org
November 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 make sure you 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 #11 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about how I've implemented a new banner strategy at Groundzero, and we also have the usual recommended resources, promotion tip, eBook, website design and software reviews.

Have you visited Groundzero lately?

Well guess what? I've added a new section (again) but I like to refer to it as a mini site inside a total website. It's a Web Hosting Solutions resource that details 10 different web hosting plans that are both affordable and of high quality.

If you're unhappy with your current web hosting solution or looking for a package that delivers enough data transfer and has plenty of space/storage then I'm sure you will find what you're looking for in this new section of Groundzero.

But if you are happy with the current web host you have, then do me a favor and tell me what you think about the site design. I've gone with a very simple look that's reminiscent of an old Groundzero design and I've decided not to place any 468 x 60 banners on any page.

Your feedback is highly appreciated and very valuable.

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

Enjoy this months issue!


- 2.Recommended Resources -

Affiliate Makeover :
http://www.affiliatemakeover.com
If you are a web merchant who needs banners, store fronts and more, but you have no new ideas or experience to create something that actually works or, if your affiliate website needs a redesign in order to generate profits then the team at Affiliate Makeover can help for a very reasonable price.

CSS Layout Techniques :
http://glish.com/css/
If you are looking for help making the transition to CSS layouts (Cascading Style Sheets)then Glish.com is a good place to start. This site is full of useful cross-browser CSS layout techniques, all the examples on this site have been reduced to only their essential code for quick use.

Alexa Traffic Rankings :
http://www.alexa.com
Alexa computes traffic rankings by analyzing the web usage of millions of Alexa Toolbar users. The traffic rank is based on traffic data from millions of Alexa Toolbar users and is a combined measure of page views and users. Not 100% accurate, but a good place to compare site to site traffic.


- 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 - Group Mail
5 - Ulead Cool 3D
6 - Fineclicks
7 - CoffeeCup Firestarter
8 - vBulletin
9 - NetStudio
10 - Shareasale


- 4.Editors Corner -

"New Banner Strategy"

Besides adding the new Web Hosting Solutions section to Groundzero this month I also implemented a new banner strategy. This was brought on by the fact I noticed that a similar website (dare I say competitor) had added a bunch of new 468 x 60 banners to his/her webpages.

This made me think, banners could be working for him/her so I should give them another go. But, I still had my doubts so I had to think of a way to actually get good use out of them (if you visit Groundzero you should notice that the banners are placed at the top of the page - prime real estate).

For some strange reason I had remembered reading a comment at the A Best Web webmaster forum/boards about people placing banners on their webpages that advertise different sections of their own sites.

Sounded like a good place to start.

Being the statistic hound (ok geek) that I am I thought I would analyze which pages/sections at Groundzero were being visited and searched for the most. It turned out that pages that reviewed web design and graphic applications were very popular so I uploaded banners that pointed to these URL's.

http://www.ground-z.org/software.html
http://www.ground-z.org/resources/logocreator.html
http://www.ground-z.org/resources/uleadcool.html
http://www.ground-z.org/resources/netstudio.html

I initially chose these 4 products to use banners for just as an initial test. Reasons included the fact that 3 of these products were already on popular pages (visit and search wise) and 1 was a highly searched item. It also helped that there were already pre made banners available for these products and they didn't look to bad either.

I honestly thought that 468 x 60 banners had past their use by date so I wasn't expecting very much at all. I was amazed when I saw great results only 3 days after implementing this new banner strategy.

In a nutshell, my logs had showed that page views for these products had increased and that the new banners had been the cause of that. I could tell because the banner script links came up as refferers for the said pages and click thrus and sales had increased immediately.

In Conclusion :
- 468 x 60 banners can still work.
- It helps if they are "very" targeted.
- Statistical analysis does work.
- Results may vary (depends on your type of website).


- 5.Promotion Tip -

Search Engine World :
http://www.searchengineworld.com

Google has become the number one player in the search engine world now that it powers initial Yahoo and AOL results (among others). Knowing how Google works is a must if you want to increase traffic to your webpages, rank well and stay that way.

Search Engine World has a number of columns, articles and tutorials to help with search engine optimization. This will certainly help you with your promotion efforts especially in relation to the almighty Google search engine.

Topics covered include :
- search engine tips and tricks
- seo traps and pitfalls
- search engine partnerships
- search engine glossary
- google webmaster world faq


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : PPC Search Engines Primer
Price : Free
http://shoptour.co.uk/downloads/PPC-SearchEngines-Primer.exe

This eBook gives you a short introduction to pay per click search engines and will help you to get more out of your current advertising budget. If you're looking to increase traffic to your webpages and you don't know much about the ppc search engine world then this eBook will sort you out.

Topics covered include :
- Why you should advertise on ppc search engines.
- How to find the right pay per click search engines.
- How to find the right search terms.
- How to find your maximum bid.
- How to write good search listings.
- How to manage your listings on ppc search engines.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : Wing Chun Kung Fu Association
Type : Traditional Martial Arts
URL : http://www.wing-chun.gr

Website about the Wing Chun Kung Fu Traditional Association in Athens, Greece and promotes the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. This website is a past Groundzero Design Award Winner.

This website immediately caught my attention with it's bold red color scheme and amazing graphics which are of very high quality. The layout also makes good/proper use of frames.

Besides looking good, all the graphics tie into the theme of martial arts with oriental text characters and martial art fighting poses. I mainly awarded this website because of the graphics, they just really look good.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : Real Assistant
Type : Website Communication
Size : 600 KB
Price : $150.00
URL : http://www.infinetsoftware.com/products/real/

Real Assistant is a powerful set of scripts that enable you to chat one-on-one with your website visitors to answer pre-purchase questions, close sales, or offer technical support. The software can be setup and configured on your site in minutes and you host it on your server.

Server Requirements :
- Windows NT 4 / 2000 OS
- Internet Information Server (IIS) 5+
- ASP 3+ (VBScript 5+ or 5.6+ for RegEx support)
- ADO 2.0 or greater
- CDONTS, ASPMail, JMail, or similar SMTP mailing component
- Access 2000, MySQL, MS SQL Server 7+

Client/Operator Requirements :
- 3rd generation or greater web browser
- Javascript and Frames support
- Flash 5 plug-in for operators to hear audio alerts


- 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 #11 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 December 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.