Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Google and the G1 Cell Phone

The first Android powered phone and it's powered by Google software. They call it the G1 and it's now available. On the downside it looks like it's only available thru T-Mobile which is not my carrier. I wonder if others will be able to offer it soon. It looks way cool and since I love Google I'd love to have one of these "bad boys" for myself. Oh, a girl can dream can't she (LOL) Similar to an I-Phone and costing a little under 200.00 with a 2 year contract.

For more see:

http://www.fastcompany.com/big-idea/android-google-s-new-phone-will-force-apple-unlock-its-iphone-within-6-months

Monday, October 27, 2008

"Test Your Landing Pages With Google's Website Optimizer"

If you're doing any kind of pay-per-click advertising, you need to know what's working and what isn't when it comes to your advertising campaigns. Testing and tracking needs to be your middle name. So what are we testing? Your landing pages of course. A landing page is the page someone is sent to when they click on your ad. If your landing page isn't "converting" you'll be throwing good money after bad.

A conversion is what happens when someone visits your landing page and performs a wanted action. When you test your landing pages and find out what's working, you can use that information to increase your conversions.

The problem with testing is that the software you need is generally very expensive. Well, how would you like a top notch testing solution that won't cost you a dime? Google offers a free service called "Website Optimizer" http://www.google.com/websiteoptimizer . It runs from within your own web browser so there's nothing to download or install.

The first step is to decide what you want to test. You can test different headlines, graphics, layouts, calls to action, long copy versus short copy - all contained on the same page, or you can create two different pages to test against each other.

If you already use Google Adwords, you can access Optimizer from within the Adwords interface. It can be found under the "myclient center".

You can choose from two types of tests:

1) A/B Testing- Also known as split testing, and the easiest type of test to run. In this type of test you set up two different versions of your landing page and traffic is then split between the two to find out which one has a higher conversion.

2) MultiVariable Test- A bit more complicated, this type of test allows you to test different elements all on the same pages. For example, you could test different headlines, graphics, blocks of copy, etc.

Your landing page, (aka test page), must include some call to action. In other words, it must ask them to do something -subscribe to your ezine, buy your product or service, or download something.

Google calls each test an "experiment". There are only four steps when it comes to setting up an experiment. You'll be given some code to copy and paste onto your test page, and your conversion pages. A conversion page is where the viewer goes after performing the wanted action on your landing (test) page.

Make sure you set everything up correctly from the get-Go. If not, and you need to make a change to something, you'll have to go back and re-paste the code on all of your pages. Once the code is in place, Google's validation tool will tell you if something was not done correctly in your setup.

You can decide to test all or only a percentage of your website traffic. Keep in mind if you go with only a certain percentage of your visitors, the test will take longer to complete. Experiments can also be stopped or paused at anytime.

After your experiment starts, you'll be shown the estimated duration and number of impressions and conversions tracked. Google's graphical reports are simple and easy to read and understand. So even if you're not a math guru, you'll understand what you're looking at when viewing the test results.

Some other helpful resources to help you are:

Google's Optimizer Blog
http://www.websiteoptimizer.blogspot.com/

Website Optimizer 101- A Quick Start Guide
http://www.tinyurl.com/yxwman

Google Analytics Blog
http://www.analytics.blogspot.com

There is no doubt that testing and tracking your landing pages will increase your conversions. If you've been sitting on the sidelines, here's your chance to become a "landing page detective" - and the best part is, it won't cost you a dime.

Stop throwing money away and know once and for all what's working with your landing pages. Google's Website Optimizer makes it simple and easy for you to start testing. So what are you waiting for? Get out that white lab coat and wipe off those beakers -it's testing time.

Gia Looking Smart

OK, OK, I think Gia is the cutest dog ever, but maybe I'm partial. Here she is wearing my glasses. I caught her in bed with one of my books. Such a smart dog!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Halloween GiveAway Event- Download Free Ebooks


Do we have Christmas yet or why are these marketers
giving away all their products for free?

Yes, it's true... I've just had a look inside the
Halloween Giveaway and there are hundreds of products
waiting for you to be downloaded.

Check it out: http://www.halloweengiveaway.com/members.php?id=2172

Did you know that many internet marketers give-away
their best PLR and Resale Rights products at the Top
Giveaway Events?

Yes, and you can just grab these products and sell them
to others. People are still paying a good amount of
money to get their hands on the exact same products
that you can get for free at the Halloween Giveaway.

This site will only be open for a few of days so
don't miss this chance and signup now... it's F.R.E.E.

==> http://www.halloweengiveaway.com/members.php?id=2172


See you inside!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Vote for Baxter- Gia and Dakota

Pet Photo I entered my dogs in the cutest pet contest at Progressive. Please stop by and cast your vote for Baxter here http://www.progressive.com/petphotos/pet-image.aspx?id=1540

Vote for Gia here http://www.progressive.com/petphotos/pet-image.aspx?id=1543

Vote for Dakota herehttp://www.progressive.com/petphotos/pet-image.aspx?id=1544

Thanks for your help. I already know they're the cutest just need your help in proving that to everyone else

Domains for 1.99 at GoDaddy

Cheap Domains Need to register a few new domains? GoDaddy is offering up certain extensions at only 1.99 for the first year. Limited time offer so check it out today and get those domains registered now.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Free Shipping Coupons

I love to shop online, but sometimes when I fill my basket and I'm ready to check out the shipping charges have me reaching for my back button.

If you're tired of paying too much for shipping check out FreeShipping.org - Plenty of stores who won't charge you a dime for shipping. Sign up for their newsletter to be notified of ongoing specials.

Also, check out http://www.freeshippingon.com/free-shipping they also list plenty of online stores with a "no shipping charge" policy. Now get out your credit card and go shopping. At least the shipping is free.

Friday, October 10, 2008

CopyrightSpot - Free Plagiarism Detection

"CopyrightSpot allows you to discover all the spots where your licensed and unlicensed original writing lives on the web." Type in your url and see what you find.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Free PhotoShop Templates

Need some website help? Maybe a whole new re-design? Don't sweat it. This site has free templates done with Photoshop. Just browse through and download the one that's just right for you. http://www.templateyes.com/photoshop-templates.htm

Very professional looking and you won't have to pay that fancy pancy website designer after all.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

The "Remember When Movie"


At the risk of sounding like my mother, things were different when I was a kid. We actually went outside and played and didn't hang out on computers and play video games all day. We actually used our imaginations and invented our own fun. We didn't need someone to come along and entertain us. If you remember those days fondly watch this movie....."memories like the corners of my mind, misty water color memories of the way we were".........sing along now.....

http://www.therememberwhenmovie.com/

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

SuperHero Merle

Hey there,

Ever want to be a super hero? Maybe you feel you are one in your everyday life. Now your dreams can become a reality.

Check me out as a super hero.

Visit http://www.makemesuper.com/r.php?i=4_93844-091010-f-Girl

It's fun and easy to make your own Super Hero video at http://www.makemesuper.com. You won't save the world but you can definitely share a few laughs.