Hits

One of the misconceptions is that a “hit” is a visitor to a site. Not the case. A visitor to a web site is called a “site.” A hit is recorded every time something (files for example) are requested from the server. So the actual page is a hit. Any graphics on the page are hits. And so on. If someone tells you they are getting 50,000 hits a month, they’re right! But those aren’t visitors.

Sites

Sites are records of IP addresses. These are your site’s visitors. However, before you look at SITES and determine how many people are coming to your site, there are a couple factors that reduce your sites. One is that many of the IP addresses are bots not humans. Google, MSN and Inktomi (Yahoo!) each have about 10-25 different bots with its own IP that comb a site. Plus there are lots and lots of lesser search engine bots running not to mention random data collection bots like IBM. And let’s not forget the spam kings out there who use bots to collect emails off sites. (more…)

Not using Firefox yet? Here’s yet another reason to switch. The search window in the upper right corner. Sounds silly I know but here’s why its so slick. Customization! There are thousands of pre-configured search engines for you to choose from.
Like: Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Ebay, Technorati, Flicker, USA Today, Webster and I could go on for hours but you get the point. And (here’s the best part) if none suit your mode of searching, roll your own! Firefox Rollyo allows you to create a list of up to 25 sites to search at once. Now that’s a time saver.

Next up: the Abe Vigoda Current Status Indicator and other Firefox ad-ons
Stay Tuned

Most people are fairly concerned about their Google page ranking. Being one of those concerned webians (no, not a word - but if we work on this together, maybe it could be), I recently installed the Google tool bar in my browser so I could check my page ranking whenever I wanted. The problem: my browser slowed to a near crawl. As an alternative you can log on to Alexa.com and track your Web site’s page stats including your page ranking. However, this requires effort. The solution: Blogflux. This company offers a handy tool that allows you to post your page ranking right on your site - it’s always up-to-date and you can see how your site stacks up against the competition anytime. If you look at the bottom right side of the mCm site you will see a little orange rectangle that says PR and then shows that our page ranking is 4. Neat. Blogflux also offers other nifty tools like a button maker, a blog directory - which I highly recommend, and of course blogging services (which I have never used).

So, about that word webian, the way I see it is, Google became a verb after only six years from the company’s meager beginnings as a startup company in a San Francisco garage - now they have turned a play on an actual word into a verb - wow. That’s impressive. Since monkey is already a word, I thought I would make up my own and see what happens: Webian (web’-e-en) n. 1. one who is dedicated to surfing on the Internet. 2. a person who makes use of the Internet, specifically a personal Web site.

Another tip from Monkey C Media

As many as 75,000 new blogs are created every day (according to KPBS Radio Legal Analyst Dan Eaton. Blogs (web logs) are slowly changing the way we get our news, the way we are entertained - but mostly the way we can share our own points of view(s).

You see it’s just so easy - you can create your own blog in a matter of minutes- you can customize it and promote it and effectively have your own daily column to say, well, whatever you want. As an author, this is the best way to add new content to your site - often - give your readers a reason to come back to your site and increase your page ranking.Here are a list of blog options - so you can create your own…’cause you really don’t need me afterall.

Blog-City
Blogger
TypePad
WordPress
Xanga

tip offered by Monkey C Media

There is the good and the bad when it comes to pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. And while many authors wonder if this is not the highway they should travel, the fact is Organic listings will always outplay those sponsored links you see across the right side of your Google results. Internet surfers tend to be prejudice against paid advertising – eMarketer reported that 66 percent of consumers are distrustful of paid listings, while 85 percent of online searchers outright ignore sponsored links. On the flipside, paid listings do increase visibility. Recently, large companies with seemingly bottomless pockets are using PPC advertising to further establish branding – much like billboard advertising. The problem with this model is these bottomless pockets are rapidly raising the price bar. According to DoubleClick.com’s annual search trend report, PPC costs have increased 37 percent from 2005 to 2006 – this largely has to do with the popularity of PPC.

Keep this in mind, it takes anywhere from three to as long as six months to get your new Web site indexed with search engines. So if you have recently launched a new site, PPC can be a great way to drive traffic to your site. Typically the amount of revenue you will bring in equals what you pay to play. But the exposure may very well be your incentive; after-all word-of-mouth can be your most effective advertising. This of course requires that people know about you.

If you play your cards right, PPC is a great tool. Be sure you start by doing your research and arming yourself with an arsenal of highly relevant keywords that have high search numbers but low competition. If your keywords are being monopolized by large companies like The South Beach Diet, you will likely find that the competition is simply too stiff to make a difference. If you have to pay more than .20 per click, chances are you are wasting money. But this is a decision you have to make after careful consideration of all the facts. Consider the ratio before you sink too much money into a PPC campaign. You are looking for popular search terms with low competition. Remember to use your keyword tools from our last post to keep track of search popularity - Keyword Tools for Successful Optimization.

Tip from monkeyCmedia.com

You should maintain a list of relevant keywords for your site at all times.  As you write copy for your site, try to include these keywords, without overdoing it of course.  Use them within reason.   They will help your site get indexed and increase your page ranking.  Here are some keyword tools to help you refine your list, be sure to take a look at their various features and find the right tool for your needs and your budget:
Keyword Discovery
WordTracker
Overture Suggestion Tool
Tip offered by Monkey C Media