Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #14
Copyright (c) 2003 : http://www.ground-z.org
February 28 2003 : All Rights Reserved
Editor : Rik Tairea - webmaster@ground-z.org

The Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter is a 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 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 #14 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about how website development is an ongoing process and we also have the usual recommended resources, promotion tip, eBook, website design and software reviews.

Is it me or is time moving really fast?

I just realized that it's already the end of the second month of this year and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down. It could be the fact that I'm just getting older or it could be that I am very laid back and the world around me is in a big rush.

Who knows?

I've noticed that big news in the search engine world over the last few months has been that Overture has doubled the minimum bid for listing, they have also acquired Altavista and Fast, MSN has extended it's contract with Inktomi and Yahoo has it's own special deal with Inktomi.

I used to think that the search engine wars were over about a year ago with the clear winner being the almighty Google machine. Now it looks like it's about to get more aggressive as we go into round 8 (or is it round 9, 10 or 11).

What this says to me is that as a webmaster I have to keep a closer eye on things search engine related (more than usual). I'm not talking about becoming a complete search engine scholar, but keeping up with latest trends and gossip with anything connected to the main engines is a must.

On a final note, remember that you can recommend resources, tools, eBooks, software and well designed websites to be featured in this webmaster newsletter. Even if it's yours, not yours or if you know someone that is connected to it. As long as it benefits webmasters and/or website owners then it could be seen in a future issue of this publication.

Editor - Rik Tairea
Groundzero - http://www.ground-z.org

Enjoy this months issue!


- 2.Recommended Resources -

High Rankings Advisor Newsletter :
http://www.highrankings.com/advisor.htm
The High Rankings Advisor is a weekly eZine that discusses the latest news and information in the world of search engine optimization and search engine marketing. The High Rankings Advisor also answers your questions about search engine optimization.


Designer Wiz :
http://www.designerwiz.com
Fr#e javascript cut and paste codes, code generator, javascript code tutorial archive, fr#e java applets, java effects, HTML test link tool, clipart, templates, fr#e software downloads, CGI code check, server test tools and web tool archive resources to create dynamic web pages.


The Dingbat Pages :
http://www.dingbatpages.com
Resource for downloading PC truetype format dingbat fonts that are either freeware or shareware. All fonts have been collected from around the web and have been maintained with all files intact. Dingbat fonts make it easy to create web graphics, easily when used with quality graphics software.


- 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 - Group Mail
4 - A Best Web
5 - CoffeeCup Firestarter
6 - Ulead Cool 3D
7 - 123 Log Analyzer
8 - Effect 3D Studio
9 - CoffeeCup HTML Editor
10 - Shareasale


- 4.Editors Corner -

"Website Development Is An Ongoing Process"

Did you know that the Groundzero website has been online for nearly 2 years now? It started off very small with not much content and I didn't spend one cent on it through the use of fr#e hosting, fr#e url redirection and other fr#e services.

I had no idea it would still be around today.

I say this because the first few months were lacking in the results department, especially traffic wise. I also put up a few banners thinking to myself that I was going to make the big bucks - Holy Moly was I wrong!

Through trial and error, reading as much info as possible on anything related to creating, maintaining and promoting websites and implementing plans that actually worked, I feel that I've finally got Groundzero to a place where I think produces the results I've been striving for.

Something I just realized a couple months ago is that the continuing development of a website is an ongoing process.

Take Groundzero for example, if you take a look at the website now compared to how it was back in April 21st 2001 (the official birthday of Groundzero) you would see two completely different sites.

I'm taking a wild guess but if memory serves me right there were only about 3 sections (this included a links page) and about 10-15 pages of content (I'm probably being a little generous with that number) and a very different design. Compare it to today's website with 10 sections (with various sub sections), around 400 pages of content, a monthly newsletter and a completely different design.

Now it's obvious that I didn't add all that stuff to the website in one go and I should also state that sections, pages and/or services were also removed from the site.

Things like guestbooks and polls that didn't really serve much purpose other than making the site look amateur were removed (not that I think that Groundzero is the most professional website out there, like you I've seen better).

Thanks to this continuing evolution, traffic has increased along with revenue (how many times have I mention this in the last few issues of this eZine). Why? Because I've added content that people are looking for (and removed stuff they didn't want) combined with the process of optimizing pages for search engines to get fr#e traffic.

Take a look at the revamped books section at Groundzero, a couple of weeks ago it had only 1 page and 3 books on it but now it has 25 books each with a page that has essential info about said book.

My point?

The site is nearly 2 years old but and I'm still adding to it and modifying things.

The reason?

It keeps the site fresh by having content that is relevant and in demand.

Here's a simple formula for websites : create - promote - maintain - develop - promote - maintain - develop - promote - maintain - develop - promote - maintain - develop - promote - maintain - develop - promote - maintain - develop

Without even realizing it I've been following this formula for the last few years (not only with Groundzero but with other sites I've created). It's a good formula because it works, it proves that website development is an ongoing process and a worthwhile one at that.


- 5.Promotion Tip -

Top444 Topsites :
http://top444.com

Top444 is a fr#e topsites ranking portal that can generate traffic for your webpages by letting visitors vote for your website. The more votes you get the higher your listing climbs on the list.

The Top444 homepage is updated by an automatic script, which registers the unique clicks coming from member sites. The more clicks a site sends to top444, the better ranking they achieve and in return these sites will potentially get visitors from people browsing the top444.com site.


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : Link Popularity
Size : 539 KB
Price : Fr#e
URL : http://www.fastebook.com/cgi-bin/pub/demo/get.cgi?p=1

Link popularity is the total number of external web sites that link to yours. This eBook tells you how important link popularity is and how search engines factor it into their ranking algorithm.

Topics covered include :
- why it is important to have many links to your web site.
- Why it is important to know who links to your site.
- having a list of web sites that link to your competitors.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : Michael Moore
Type : author/film maker official website
URL : http://www.michaelmoore.com

MichaelMoore.com is the official website for author, film maker, social and political commentator Michael Moore. Michael is the writer of the best selling book "Stupid White Men" and is also the creator of the critically acclaimed movie/documentary "Bowling For Columbine".

The site itself has been designed by a web design company, so it is expected that the images/graphics of the website are high quality. But the design team were smart in the fact that they were able to make the pages stand out and create a sense of "impact" using a very simple technique.

If you take a look at the headings you will notice they are all the same font, all the in upper case, are one of three colors and are on top of a dark background. It just makes everything stand out and at the same time makes the website feel simple but still look good visually.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : Color Schemer
Type : color picker
Size : 1.84 MB
Price : $25.00 (shareware)
Operating System : Windows 95/98/2000/ME/XP
URL : http://www.colorschemer.com

With the Color Schemer you can instantly and effortlessly create harmonious color schemes at the click of a button. The Color Schemer can help you create color schemes that work well without the guessing.

Color Schemer features include :
- displays 16 harmonious colors at the click of a button.
- easy access to HEX and RGB for each color.
- save schemes for later use.
- choose colors from 216-color web safe palette.
- make colors web-safe.
- view colors on any background color.
- and much more.

The Color Schemer is shareware and has a 15 day trial period with a splash screen. Registration costs $25 and includes fr#e future upgrades and support for the software.


- 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 #14 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 March 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.