Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #20
Copyright (c) 2003 : http://www.ground-z.org
August 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 #20 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about web hosting and we also have the usual recommended resources, promotion tip, eBook, website design and software reviews.

Get ready, here comes a rant.

Don't get me wrong, I love this thing we call the Internet and I like computers, but there are times when they are more trouble than they're worth. You know what I'm talking about, who else is sick of w#rms, b#gs, vir#ses, etc.

Like I said, I love the Internet, and I like some of the amazing technology that is available to us in this high tech world (except cell phones, I hate those @#$% things with a vengeance and you can add reality TV to that list as well).

Like a lot of people out there, I use my computer on a regular basis and I am sick to death of people who feel the need to create programs that serve no purpose what-so-ever other than being a pain in the "you know what". This makes me want to start using an overpriced Mac (sorry to all the Apple users for the dig, but I thought it was funny).

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way so I'll end the rant right here.

Is everyone out there getting ready for the busy season yet? I've got a couple of sites that have been affected by the summer slow down (with others having above average to extreme traffic), but pretty soon traffic levels should be jumping back up to where they should be.

With that said are you ready for Christmas yet? Hmmmm, I can hear some "ughs", "whats" and "alreadys" out there along with a solo "yippee". If you're websites are designed to sell something, I'm pretty sure that it's been in the back of your mind or if you're like me it's in the front.

Is it too early to say "Ho-Ho-Ho"?

Enjoy this months issue!

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


- 2.Recommended Resources -

AlexBet Design :
http://www.alexbet.com/
Home of web designer Alexander Betinski, he specializes in creating eye-catching and professional graphic designs and websites. His Work includes logos, banner ads, websites, illustrations, various graphics and complete websites designed for small businesses and individuals.

WebMerge :
http://www.fourthworld.com/
Lets you export your data to HTML, generating static pages from database files. Build catalogs, eZines, contact lists, image galleries and more, quickly and easily. Works with nearly any database or spreadsheet data, including FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access, AppleWorks and Excel.

Htaccess Disable Hotlinking Code Generator :
http://www.htmlbasix.com/disablehotlinking.shtml
Use this code generator to create a snippet of code to place in your htaccess file. This will only allow requests from your own pages or any site you choose to display the images. Anyone linking to them from outside of your site will have the red x displayed instead of the actual image.


- 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 - Ulead Cool 3D
5 - A Best Web
6 - CoffeeCup Firestarter
7 - 123 Log Analyzer
8 - Ulead GIF Animator
9 - Shareasale
10 - Effect 3D Studio


- 4.Editors Corner -

"Web Hosting Quality Counts"

Did you know that I still have a couple of websites that are hosted for fr#e without any forced advertising, including pop-ups? I've had these sites hosted there for a couple of years now and it still amazes me that they are still online.

Like other webmasters, that's how I got started with making websites. The good thing about these sites is that I don't have to update them, they don't cost me a thing, they still get good traffic and I like the way they look.

Would I host my bread and butter sites on a fr#e or low cost web host? To put it nicely - NO! When it comes to hosting, you get what you pay for and since my websites generate revenue, I'm prepared to pay what is needed in order to ensure that they continue to make m#ney.

*** On a side note, I'm not going to mention any web hosting company names in this editorial because I don't want this section to look like an ad. ***

For example, I host my websites with only one company and on average it costs roughly around $10.00 per website a month (some of these sites are add-on domains and this cost doesn't factor in any domain registrations).

Now that sounds pretty affordable, especially with all the options my web hosting packages come with, but when you compare it to other hosting companies that charge under $7.00 per month, you notice you're paying a little extra.

But it's completely worth it and I'm prepared to pay more.

Now I have absolutely nothing what-so-ever against web hosts that charge very affordable prices, but I'd highly doubt I'd ever consider using some of these companies. Some of these hosts have ok or good reputations while others don't, you just have to do your research.

The main reason I host my websites with just one company is because I've had a very good relationship with them over a 3 year period. I've only had 2 major problems where my sites went down for a 10 and 3 hour period, in my books thats not too shabby for a 3 year time frame.

It's obvious though that if something major does happen to that one hosting company, then all my domains are affected which could in turn mean a major shutdown. But since the hosting has been of high quality, I'm not majorly concerned with this issue, but I'm still completely aware of the risk.

Like I said before, I probably wouldn't use an "affordable" host mainly because I like the service I get now with my current host. Plus, I've heard a few "not so good" stories concerning the quality of sub standard hosting.

But that's just me.

If you're prepared to sacrifice quality for cost then by all means I'd recommend using some $2.00 per month web hosting outfit. Now that may sound like the complete opposite to 99% of everything I've written in this months editorial, but why end up paying for hosting features that you don't need.

Remember those websites I mentioned earlier in this piece that are hosted for fr#e? If for some reason they were put offline permanently tomorrow, I'd just place them on a sub domain of an existing site. But if that option wasn't readily available to me, and after some thought, I probably would resort to using some other "affordable host".

Reason being is because I like the design of these websites and being the sentimental new age guy that I am, I'm proud of them. But since these sites don't generate any revenue at all, I wouldn't really be concerned with the quality of where it's hosted.

Which brings me to my point.

If you view your websites a business then treat it as such. It's perfectly correct to label hosting as an expense but in my opinion, you can also view it as an asset and investment. If you're website isn't easily accessible to customers then what's the use?

Remember, you get what you pay for.


- 5.Promotion Tip -

ePilot PPC Search Engine :
http://www.epilot.com/

ePilot provides 3 different ways to drive traffic to your site - its search engine, net guide and category menus. Cost Per Click advertising allows site owners to be found when consumers are searching for your products or services.

You choose the search terms you'd like to be found under and the amount you'd like to pay for each click to your site. The higher your bid in relation to other advertisers, the higher your listing appears in search results. You only pay when a customer clicks on your listing and visits your site.


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : Search Engine Optimization Fast Start
Format : adobe acrobat document
Size : 830KB
Price : Fr#e
URL : http://www.cannedbooks.com/

Written by SEO expert Dan Thies, this eBook shows how search engines work, how they find your site, how spiders operate, how they see your pages, how they come up with your site's ranking and so much more.

Topics covered include :
- keyword selection strategies.
- building a theme based website.
- creating search engine optimized pages every time.
- critical linking strategies.
- submitting to the search engines.
- controlling the search engine spiders.
- and much more.

The first edition of this eBook was published back in November 2001 and was sold for $29.95. Now in it's third edition, it's available fr#e of charge, all you need to do is submit an e-mail address to get the download link.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : Vintage Skivvies
Type : men's classic underwe@r
URL : http://www.vintageskivvies.com/

Everything you need to know about men's classic underwe@r is available at Vintage Skivvies along with shopping, auctions, history and much more. This site is also a past Groundzero Design Award winner.

What I like about the Vintage Skivvies website is it's clean layout and look as well as it's graphics. A good example of the nice graphics can be seen on the front page with it's use of high quality images and smart mouse over effects.

Another good thing that this website does well is it's ability to combine information content with sales content. If you have a good look around the site, you'll notice how a customer will find it easy to purchase it's products but still easily find information content and vice versa.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : upCast
Type : xml authoring
Size : 6.2 MB
Price : various licenses
Operating System : Windows
URL : http://www.infinity-loop.de/products/upcast/

upCast enables you to use Microsoft Word as an authoring application for XML documents. Take advantage of the widespread availability and familiar user interface of Word or any other RTF office application for structured XML document authoring.

upCast offers a cost effective way to reuse existing tools for gaining all the benefits of a standardized markup language. You can convert almost any document instantly without any time consuming configuration, yet, you'll still get highest conversion quality.

With upCast, you get the best of both worlds. Structural markup in XML and corresponding style information separated out in a CSS stylesheet. This technology has built-in structure recognition heuristics that instantly and easily preserves the document structure.


- 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 #20 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 Sepyember 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.