Online Business / Hosting: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Improve Search Engine Rankings
Top 10 factors that affect your website's search results ranking. Easy to understand explanations and practical application tips.
Top 10 factors that affect your website's search results ranking. Easy to understand explanations and practical application tips.
Cheap Web Hosting Under \$10
Cheap, low cost shared Web hosting providers that are reliable options for a business website.
Cheap, low cost shared Web hosting providers that are reliable options for a business website.
Find the Best Web Hosting
5 steps to find a Web hosting provider that perfectly suits the needs of your online business
5 steps to find a Web hosting provider that perfectly suits the needs of your online business
42 Most Useful Firefox Add-ons
List of 42 useful Firefox addons, sorted by functionality and work needs.
List of 42 useful Firefox addons, sorted by functionality and work needs.
Where to Find Blogging Jobs
Top 10 websites where you can find paid blogging jobs.
Top 10 websites where you can find paid blogging jobs.
Affiliate Marketing Tips
Affiliate marketing is the business of marketing a product or service for someone else, then getting paid if visitors complete an action like fill out a form or actually purchases the product. Here are the top ten tips for successful affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is the business of marketing a product or service for someone else, then getting paid if visitors complete an action like fill out a form or actually purchases the product. Here are the top ten tips for successful affiliate marketing.
Get the Best Web Design Work
Getting a successful website design can be tricky business. A successful project is very much the result of a good collaborative effort between both Web designer and client. Here are some tips on how to get the best work from your Web designer.
Getting a successful website design can be tricky business. A successful project is very much the result of a good collaborative effort between both Web designer and client. Here are some tips on how to get the best work from your Web designer.
Brick-and-Mortar to Ecommerce
A step-by-step guide for main street retailers on how to start an ecommerce business selling goods online.
A step-by-step guide for main street retailers on how to start an ecommerce business selling goods online.
11 Do-It-Yourself SEO Tricks
Despite lots of hype by SEO consultants, the basics of SEO are actually pretty straightforward. In fact, I recommend against hiring SEO consultants until you have tried this article’s DIY strategies for improving search engine ranking yourself. This will save you money and make you a smarter web marketer.
Despite lots of hype by SEO consultants, the basics of SEO are actually pretty straightforward. In fact, I recommend against hiring SEO consultants until you have tried this article’s DIY strategies for improving search engine ranking yourself. This will save you money and make you a smarter web marketer.
Hiring a Web Designer
Step-by-step guide to hiring the best possible Web designer for your budget.
Step-by-step guide to hiring the best possible Web designer for your budget.
60+ Ad and Affiliate Programs
List of Advertising Networks and Affiliate Programs
List of Advertising Networks and Affiliate Programs
Forum Marketing
Participating in forums is a great way to market your online business. Forum users are generally net savvy and open to making online purchases, which is why well-executed forum marketing is a high ROI strategy. Many forum users are also respected experts and bloggers in the specific topics covered by the forum. Making a good impression in front of this influential audience can help you make sales and generate critical buzz for your online business.
Participating in forums is a great way to market your online business. Forum users are generally net savvy and open to making online purchases, which is why well-executed forum marketing is a high ROI strategy. Many forum users are also respected experts and bloggers in the specific topics covered by the forum. Making a good impression in front of this influential audience can help you make sales and generate critical buzz for your online business.
Types of Web Hosting
Overview of the types of Web hosting from the cheapest shared hosting to running your own dedicated server.
Overview of the types of Web hosting from the cheapest shared hosting to running your own dedicated server.
Top 10 Web Design Job Boards
Places where people can post Requests for Proposals/Quote (RFP), or where freelance Web designer can find job.
Places where people can post Requests for Proposals/Quote (RFP), or where freelance Web designer can find job.
6 Copywriting Tips
Copywriting is your website's secret weapon for customer conversion. Use these 6 strategies from Scott Fox, author of Internet Riches, for successful copywriting.
Copywriting is your website's secret weapon for customer conversion. Use these 6 strategies from Scott Fox, author of Internet Riches, for successful copywriting.
Small Biz Accounting Interview
13 Questions for Quickbooks expert and small business accounting consultant Camille Wright.
13 Questions for Quickbooks expert and small business accounting consultant Camille Wright.
6 Easy Ways to Monetize a Site
Ad networks and affiliate programs that are easy to get started and use so you can monetize your blog or website quickly.
Ad networks and affiliate programs that are easy to get started and use so you can monetize your blog or website quickly.
Web Design Contract Essentials
6 essential clauses in a Web design contract
6 essential clauses in a Web design contract
Firefox 3 = Best Web Browser
Firefox 3 is the best Web browser on the market due to its significant performance boost (it's blazingly fast!), new anti-phishing features, and a revolutionary user interface.
Firefox 3 is the best Web browser on the market due to its significant performance boost (it's blazingly fast!), new anti-phishing features, and a revolutionary user interface.
Contextual Ads w/ AdWords
How to run a contextually relevant, keyword targeting ad campaign on search and content sites using Google AdWords.
How to run a contextually relevant, keyword targeting ad campaign on search and content sites using Google AdWords.
5 Web Design RFP Essentials
How to Write an Effective Request for Proposal (RFP)
How to Write an Effective Request for Proposal (RFP)
Online Advertising Terms
Glossary of Essential Online Advertising Terms
Glossary of Essential Online Advertising Terms
Amazon Associates
How to use the many tools and options available in Amazon.com's affiliate program.
How to use the many tools and options available in Amazon.com's affiliate program.
AdWords Local
AdWords also allows you to target ads to a local audience and have your business listing appear in Google Maps searches.
AdWords also allows you to target ads to a local audience and have your business listing appear in Google Maps searches.
Monetization for Probloggers
An Interview With Lynn Truong, the Director of Sales for blog network Killer Aces Media. In this interview, we ask Lynn to share some behind the scenes tips for making money from blogging.
An Interview With Lynn Truong, the Director of Sales for blog network Killer Aces Media. In this interview, we ask Lynn to share some behind the scenes tips for making money from blogging.
10 Get Started Blogging Tips
Whether you want to publish a blog for fun or profit, use these 10 tips to get started on the right foot.
Whether you want to publish a blog for fun or profit, use these 10 tips to get started on the right foot.
VPS Web Hosts
Top Web Hosts Specializing in VPS Hosting. VPS stands for "Virtual Private Server".
Top Web Hosts Specializing in VPS Hosting. VPS stands for "Virtual Private Server".
Google AdWords
Best practices for buying contextually relevant online advertising via Google AdWords.
Best practices for buying contextually relevant online advertising via Google AdWords.
Web Based Invoicing Tools
Billing and invoicing websites that are easy to use and have just enough features for an individual or small team of freelancers.
Billing and invoicing websites that are easy to use and have just enough features for an individual or small team of freelancers.
AdWords Getting Started
Google AdWords is an extensive advertising program that offers targeted campaigns shown across Google's network of sites and its millions of partner websites that display AdSense. AdWords' ability to deliver contextually relevant ads, its ease of use, and extensive reach make it a powerful marketing tool for any business.
Google AdWords is an extensive advertising program that offers targeted campaigns shown across Google's network of sites and its millions of partner websites that display AdSense. AdWords' ability to deliver contextually relevant ads, its ease of use, and extensive reach make it a powerful marketing tool for any business.
B2C (Business to Consumer)
Commercial activity conducted between a company and an end consumer. B2C is often used to describe the retail part of Ecommerce.
Commercial activity conducted between a company and an end consumer. B2C is often used to describe the retail part of Ecommerce.
AdWords Ad Formats
Buying text ads using Google AdWords.
Buying text ads using Google AdWords.
AdWords Website Placement
How to buy text or banner ads on specific websites in the Google Content Network.
How to buy text or banner ads on specific websites in the Google Content Network.
Job Board Affiliate
Team up with job board software publishers to show relevant jobs on your website. Earn money when employers post a job and/or when job seekers apply for one.
Team up with job board software publishers to show relevant jobs on your website. Earn money when employers post a job and/or when job seekers apply for one.
CPM (Cost Per Mille)
How much it costs an advertiser to show an ad 1,000 times. A $100 CPM means the advertiser paid $100 per every 1,000 times his ad appears on a website. CPM is the most common measurement of online advertising costs. Also known as cost per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
How much it costs an advertiser to show an ad 1,000 times. A $100 CPM means the advertiser paid $100 per every 1,000 times his ad appears on a website. CPM is the most common measurement of online advertising costs. Also known as cost per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
Social Media Overview
Overview of Social Media Including Social News, Bookmarking, Networking, and Marketing.
Overview of Social Media Including Social News, Bookmarking, Networking, and Marketing.
3 Blog Revenue Streams
There are three primary revenue sources for blogs: advertising, donations and paid membership. Here are tips for using each profit vehicle.
There are three primary revenue sources for blogs: advertising, donations and paid membership. Here are tips for using each profit vehicle.
eBay Search Tips & Tricks
Tips & tricks for mastering eBay's search engine so you can find stuff.
Tips & tricks for mastering eBay's search engine so you can find stuff.
Belkin F5L009
Review of the Belkin F5L009 Network Attached 5-Port USB Hub
Review of the Belkin F5L009 Network Attached 5-Port USB Hub
5 Traits of Successful CEOs
A successful CEO (one who leads their company to its highest potential) has the following 5 traits: understands the vision, macro manages, follows industry trends, hires a strong team, and always has the customer in mind.
A successful CEO (one who leads their company to its highest potential) has the following 5 traits: understands the vision, macro manages, follows industry trends, hires a strong team, and always has the customer in mind.
VPS - Virtual Private Server
VPS stands for "virtual private server". When you have a VPS Web hosting plan, you are allocated a dedicated slice of system resources but share the physical hardware with other hosting clients.
VPS stands for "virtual private server". When you have a VPS Web hosting plan, you are allocated a dedicated slice of system resources but share the physical hardware with other hosting clients.
Brochureware
Websites created by publishing a company's traditional print marketing materials online. Like a brochure, such websites contain only basic information about the company and does not offer any interactive features.
Websites created by publishing a company's traditional print marketing materials online. Like a brochure, such websites contain only basic information about the company and does not offer any interactive features.
Dynamic Webpage
A webpage that is created in real time, usually as an interactive response to a visitor's preferences.
A webpage that is created in real time, usually as an interactive response to a visitor's preferences.
Dedicated Server
Dedicated server Web hosting means you are renting an entire physical server for use all by yourself. Dedicated servers generally cost $200 or more.
Dedicated server Web hosting means you are renting an entire physical server for use all by yourself. Dedicated servers generally cost $200 or more.
Test for Maximum Ad Revenue
Test your ad placement, design and partner programs to maximize revenue.
Test your ad placement, design and partner programs to maximize revenue.
CPA (Cost Per Action)
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay only when users completes a specific desired action. The action is usually a sales transaction or a registration.
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay only when users completes a specific desired action. The action is usually a sales transaction or a registration.
Expandable Banner Ad
A banner ad that expands in size after a user clicks on it or hovers the mouse cursor over the banner.
A banner ad that expands in size after a user clicks on it or hovers the mouse cursor over the banner.
How to Write a Web Design RFP
Where to send your Web design RFP to find the best talent.
Where to send your Web design RFP to find the best talent.
Landing Page
The advertiser's webpage visitors "land" on after they click on an ad. Usually the landing page will have a call to action prompting the user to sign up for a service or purchase a product.
The advertiser's webpage visitors "land" on after they click on an ad. Usually the landing page will have a call to action prompting the user to sign up for a service or purchase a product.
Autoresponder
An "autoresponder" is a tool that automatically sends a pre-written email in response to an incoming email, often used to acknowledge receipt of a message.
An "autoresponder" is a tool that automatically sends a pre-written email in response to an incoming email, often used to acknowledge receipt of a message.
5 Effective Web Writing Tips
Writing great Web copy means it's easy-to-read and scannable.
Writing great Web copy means it's easy-to-read and scannable.
Interstitial Ad
An ad page that appears before the user-requested page is displayed. Also known as a splash page or transition ad.
An ad page that appears before the user-requested page is displayed. Also known as a splash page or transition ad.
RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
The amount of revenue a website generates per thousand page impressions. Also known as revenue per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
The amount of revenue a website generates per thousand page impressions. Also known as revenue per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
5 Keys to Pay-Per-Post Success
How to Add Sponsored Posts to Your Blog Without Angering Your Readers
How to Add Sponsored Posts to Your Blog Without Angering Your Readers
Affiliate Network
Affiliate networks are brokers between advertisers and individual websites.
Affiliate networks are brokers between advertisers and individual websites.
Back End
Behind-the-scenes technology that powers a technical system such as a website.
Behind-the-scenes technology that powers a technical system such as a website.
Choosing a Web Designer
How to choose the best Web designer for your project among a sea of applications.
How to choose the best Web designer for your project among a sea of applications.
Blog
Definition of weblogs or blogs. Blogs are a journal-like website that displays its entries in reverse chronological order.
Definition of weblogs or blogs. Blogs are a journal-like website that displays its entries in reverse chronological order.
Changing E-Mail Service
Advice on changing email newsletter providers.
Advice on changing email newsletter providers.
Website Monitoring Services
Top site monitoring services that alert you when your website goes down. Some also provide uptime and response time tracking and reporting.
Top site monitoring services that alert you when your website goes down. Some also provide uptime and response time tracking and reporting.
5 Online Marketplaces
Where to Sell Physical Goods Online
Where to Sell Physical Goods Online
6 Benefits of Social News
In addition to the potential to drive 50,000+ page views to your website in a single day, there are several other business benefits to having a social news marketing strategy.
In addition to the potential to drive 50,000+ page views to your website in a single day, there are several other business benefits to having a social news marketing strategy.
Registrar
A company that registers, sells, and manages domain names.
A company that registers, sells, and manages domain names.
Keyword
A word or phrase users type into search engines in order to find relevant information.
A word or phrase users type into search engines in order to find relevant information.
Top Pay-Per-Post Networks
Top 5 Pay-Per-Post Marketplaces for Selling Sponsored Blog Posts
Top 5 Pay-Per-Post Marketplaces for Selling Sponsored Blog Posts
Page View
The measurement of how often a webpage is displayed to visitors. Each time a webpage is displayed to a visitor is considered one page view.
The measurement of how often a webpage is displayed to visitors. Each time a webpage is displayed to a visitor is considered one page view.
Above the Fold
The term "Above the Fold" means the part of a webpage that visitors can see on their computer monitor without the need to scroll down.
The term "Above the Fold" means the part of a webpage that visitors can see on their computer monitor without the need to scroll down.
Merchant Account
A special bank account that enables merchants to accept credit card payments. You can get a merchant account from any bank.
A special bank account that enables merchants to accept credit card payments. You can get a merchant account from any bank.
Microblogging
Microblogging refers to the posting of very short blog-like posts.
Microblogging refers to the posting of very short blog-like posts.
Phishing
Phishing is a common email and Internet scam where the perpetrator tries to get your personal information including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and home phone and address. Scams often originate as a fake but legitimate looking email from a trusted bank.
Phishing is a common email and Internet scam where the perpetrator tries to get your personal information including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and home phone and address. Scams often originate as a fake but legitimate looking email from a trusted bank.
Online Business / Hosting - StepBySteps
An index of StepBySteps for the Online Business / Hosting guide site.
An index of StepBySteps for the Online Business / Hosting guide site.
Choosing a Domain Name
Tips for choosing a domain name from a domain registration expert.
Tips for choosing a domain name from a domain registration expert.
Information Architecture
The organization and structure of information on a website. In particular, the organization of a website's pages using directories and subdirectories.
The organization and structure of information on a website. In particular, the organization of a website's pages using directories and subdirectories.
DNS
Definition of DNS - The Domain Name System is like the phonebook for the Internet. DNS assigns IP addresses to domain names, so when you type in "about.com" in your browser, you are sent to the proper Web server.
Definition of DNS - The Domain Name System is like the phonebook for the Internet. DNS assigns IP addresses to domain names, so when you type in "about.com" in your browser, you are sent to the proper Web server.
Drop Shipping
Retail business model where the Internet merchant does not keep an inventory of goods. The merchant will accept product orders from customers and forward those orders to a distributor or manufacturer, who will ship the product directly to the end customer.
Retail business model where the Internet merchant does not keep an inventory of goods. The merchant will accept product orders from customers and forward those orders to a distributor or manufacturer, who will ship the product directly to the end customer.
SEO
Strategies used to improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages for specific keywords and phrases.
Strategies used to improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages for specific keywords and phrases.
Aggregated Content
Content -- such as articles, videos or images -- gathered from various sources and presented on one website.
Content -- such as articles, videos or images -- gathered from various sources and presented on one website.
Keyword Density
The number of times a keyword appears on a webpage. Achieving the ideal keyword density will help draw search engine traffic for that specific keyword.
The number of times a keyword appears on a webpage. Achieving the ideal keyword density will help draw search engine traffic for that specific keyword.
Server
A computer connected to the Internet that is especially designed to host websites and make them accessible online.
A computer connected to the Internet that is especially designed to host websites and make them accessible online.
Social Networking
Social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook let people with similar interests interact online.
Social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook let people with similar interests interact online.
Call To Action
Definition of Call To Action (CTA). The portion of ad copy that prompts customers to take a specific action.
Definition of Call To Action (CTA). The portion of ad copy that prompts customers to take a specific action.
Affiliate Marketing
A marketing model where a website (the affiliate) agrees to feature ads for an advertiser in exchange for a commission on the sales generated by such ads. For example, many websites generate sales leads for Amazon.com by displaying Amazon's ad banners. In return, Amazon pays these websites a percentage of the sales revenue generated by the ad banners.
A marketing model where a website (the affiliate) agrees to feature ads for an advertiser in exchange for a commission on the sales generated by such ads. For example, many websites generate sales leads for Amazon.com by displaying Amazon's ad banners. In return, Amazon pays these websites a percentage of the sales revenue generated by the ad banners.
Animated Ad
A graphical ad with movement, usually generated by an interactive Java applet, flash or an animated GIF file.
A graphical ad with movement, usually generated by an interactive Java applet, flash or an animated GIF file.
Conversion Rate
The rate at which visitors are "converted" from viewing an ad to taking a desirable action on an advertiser's website. The desired action might be buying a product, registering for a membership, opting into a mailing list, or subscribing to an RSS feed.
The rate at which visitors are "converted" from viewing an ad to taking a desirable action on an advertiser's website. The desired action might be buying a product, registering for a membership, opting into a mailing list, or subscribing to an RSS feed.
Monetize
The process of converting a website's traffic into money.
The process of converting a website's traffic into money.
IP Address
Internet Protocol address. A unique number assigned to every computer connected to the Internet. The IP address appears as a set of four numbers separated by three dots. For example 208.185.127.40.
Internet Protocol address. A unique number assigned to every computer connected to the Internet. The IP address appears as a set of four numbers separated by three dots. For example 208.185.127.40.
Search Engine Results Page
Definition of SERP or Search Engine Results Page
Definition of SERP or Search Engine Results Page
Social Networking for Business
Social networking Web sites are not only for teenagers. Business and professionals can benefit from these three social networking sites.
Social networking Web sites are not only for teenagers. Business and professionals can benefit from these three social networking sites.
Contextual Advertising
Advertising designed to be related to a website's content. For example, placing presidential campaign ads on a political blog is a form of contextual advertising.
Advertising designed to be related to a website's content. For example, placing presidential campaign ads on a political blog is a form of contextual advertising.
Enterprise
Large businesses and organizations. For example, "enterprise software" refers to software designed for large business customers.
Large businesses and organizations. For example, "enterprise software" refers to software designed for large business customers.
Floating Ads
An ad that appears on the main browser window and floats across the top of the webpage's normal content.
An ad that appears on the main browser window and floats across the top of the webpage's normal content.
MFP
Definition of MFP -- multi-function printer.
Definition of MFP -- multi-function printer.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
One of the most common methods for transferring files online. It is a popular way for webmasters to upload and download files from their Web servers.
One of the most common methods for transferring files online. It is a popular way for webmasters to upload and download files from their Web servers.
Insertion Order
A purchase order that specifies the terms and conditions for a specific online advertising campaign.
A purchase order that specifies the terms and conditions for a specific online advertising campaign.
Domain Name
The unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.
The unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.
Search Engine
Websites that allow users to search for information online using keywords or phrases.
Websites that allow users to search for information online using keywords or phrases.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
A commonly used protocol for securing the transmission of confidential data (such as credit card numbers) through the Internet.
A commonly used protocol for securing the transmission of confidential data (such as credit card numbers) through the Internet.