February 25, 2011

• Things I've learned

  So last time I posted I mentioned I was learning about website optimization, which GreekPhysique asked about... I'm not sure if he really wanted to know or was just trying to think of something to comment about, but since I have actually found my class on OnLine Magazines to be kind of interesting and useful for anyone with any kind of website, I will tell y'all what I've learned. I won't be posting everything, mainly because I can't read half of my notes *L0L* but a big thank you goes out to the guest speakers who came in to talk to my class! 

  The things I am being taught are usually centered around magazines -hence the name of the class- but most can be adapted for other companies and even blogs. I intend to put some of the things I've learned to use on SingleFemmes (the online magazine assignment I have to do for class), my book review blog, and for the Read.Chat.Love book blogger community that I help moderate. 

  If you happen to know anything that I haven't been taught yet, feel free to let me know! 

  Sumr

   

  Website Search Optimization thanks to Rob Maurin

  - Create a site/blog that can be easily searchable by google, yahoo, and bing. If you cover these three then you've pretty much got all search engines covered. Google has 85% of global marketing share, Yahoo and Bing at 10%, other with 5%

  - You can wait for google bots to find you or you can register your website for free with them... just don't tick off google by using black-hat tags/search terms because they will bump you back a few pages or remove you completely (some big store did this and they no longer appear on google searches)

  - search engines help people find your site because they are either looking for your site or looking for something like your site, but don't know it it. And if you are searchable and your competition is not, you just stole their customers/readers because they found you instead. 

  - use googles adwords keyword tool to help figure out what terms people use for searches that relate to your topic. 

  - searches and bots notice things YOU make special - domain name, structure (such as the tabs/toolbar), article titles/ headers, bold, italics, caps, anchor text (no idea what that is), headers tags (something to do with html?), alt text on photos, hashtags

  - your site isn't just about using the most searchable words,  but having awesome content and creating a good user experience to build loyalty and regular views (and not getting blackballed by google search). 

  - have embedded links that lead to other pages/articles in your site to keep readers there. also try to get other good sites to link to you so that you can get more readers/viewers (ie. blogger buttons are good), BUT keep in mind that by linking with outside sites, you are sharing cachet/reputation. If you send your readers to a different site, make sure its a good one you wish to be related with and vice versa, or you'll be sharing a bad reputation. 

  - having a website for years is better than new websites because they show longevity, but having recent posts is better than rarely updating .: having a website for a long time that you post a lot on is best. 

   

  How to make a great e-newsletter thanks to Ashleigh McKenna at sweetspot.ca

  Do's

  1. grab their attention with catchy headlines and fantastic face-on photo

  2. Organize your information with your main article at the top, with important information being visible on the screen without scrolling 

  3. Keep it short, no more than 4-5 items/blurbs

  4. Tease the reader with two or three sentences that will make them want more and click to go to your website

  5. Redirect the reader by including embedded links to your website

  6. Remember your audience so as to use the correct tone and style

  7. Remember the newsletter is a chance to send your readers to the website or buy your products 

  8. Be fun with an easy to read and snappy style

  9. Stay timely by keeping your information current

  10. Engage your readers by including links to blogs, twitter, facebook, surveys and polls, etc

   

  Don'ts

  1. Dont make it too text heavy (unless have a cell phone version which should be all text little pic due to loading issues)

  2. Don't include huge photos as they slow down downloading/opening process

  3. Don't forget the subject line is the first chance to catch the reader's attention be clear but be interesting

  4. Don't send an e-newsletter without permission because it won't do any good and is vastly annoying

  5. Don't be all about selling the product, be about making and keeping a reader

   

  Building a Good Website thanks to Gary Campbell of St Joseph's Media and Aggregation Magazine

  - get a good stats tracking system and use it as it tells you what article's people are reading the most, how long people are on each page, where they have been and where they go next,  etc. This means you spend less time guessing and more time making a great website. 

  - have a strategy that will allow you to appeal to a larger audience, and convince people to visit your site more often.

  - don't allow big viewer numbers sway your decision making because you only want the "right people" connected to your site... you don't want to be associated with XXX sites when you're a parenting magazine, etc. 

  - people are usually on the web because they want a good time not because they want to learn something (well, unless you're doing a research assignment). So keep it short, concise, and interesting... Toronto life switched from posting lengthy political features pulled directly from their mag to  posting "popcorn" (little bits of things) about what people were searching for most (ie. restaurant reviews). 

  - Quality and Quantity are important: Good content frequently posted. Give your viewers a reason to visit more often by providing lots of great stuff to look at throughout the day. 

  - Twitter and Facebook are often "one hit wonders"... as in, viewers will click on the direct link but not stay on the website they were linked to (this is half true in my case, sometimes i keep clicking if there is an attention grabbing related link, but sometimes i wont)

   

   

  • 3:15 pm
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