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Setting Up Your Sign-up Form and Custom Thank You and Error Pages for Your Email Newsletter

February 27th, 2009 by admin

Keeping things simple; when setting up your sign-up form for your website keep three things in mind:

1. What information to ask from those signing up for your email newsletter

2. Setting up a custom ‘Thank You’ page. This is where the subscriber will be re-directed after successfully signing up for your newsletter.

3. Setting up a custom ‘Error’ page. This is where the subscriber will be re-directed if there is a problem during the sign up process, such as entering an invalid email address.

Ask for Minimal Information

When possible it is always better to ask your visitors for minimal information. I typically ask for first name and email address. This is important because your website visitors will most often read quickly and will not bother completing a long form when signing up for your newsletter. Remember, you can always ask for additional information later if needed.

Thank You Page

After signing up for your newsletter, be sure to re-direct your visitors to a custom ‘Thank You’ page. Email marketing software, such as IntelliContact, include a default ‘Thank You’ page but allow you to simply insert a URL to redirect subscribers to a custom page hosted on your server. This page should contain a simple message such as:

“Thank You for signing up for the XYZ Newsletter. Our newsletter is a monthly publication that will help your business by bringing you up-to-date information on the technology industry.”

Implementing a custom ‘Thank You’ page will also allow you to provide consistent navigation after a subscriber has successfully signed up for your newsletter (IE: the ‘Thank You’ page looks like the other pages of your website). This will encourage the subscriber to extend their stay on your website.

Another great opportunity in having a custom ‘Thank You’ page is co-registration. Co-registration is a great way to build your lists. Basically, within your ‘Thank You’ page you can include links to partner websites where visitors can sign up for other newsletters that compliment yours. In exchange, these ‘partner websites’ include a link to your website from their ‘Thank You’ page where subscribers can sign up for your newsletter.

Error Page

When creating your sign-up form and ‘Thank You’ page, also include an ‘Error Page’ where subscribers will be re-directed in the event that they neglect required information or fail to enter a valid email address. Most email marketing software programs allow you to enter a custom ‘Error Page’ as well. It is also a great idea to include your sign-up form again on your ‘Error Page’. This will allow the subscriber to simply fill out the form within the same page and save them from clicking the back button. For your custom ‘Error Page’ include text similar to the following:

ERROR
There was an error in completing your subscription request. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please use the form below to sign up for our newsletter. If you continue to receive an error please email us at name@yourcompany.com.

Remember to include these two pages when designing and implementing your sign-up form. By keeping it simple, straight-forward, and thinking about the subscriber’s experience through the process, you’ll see an increase in the number of subscribers signing up for your email newsletter.

About The Author

Brandon Milford is the Director of Marketing for Broadwick Corporation, makers of IntelliContact. IntelliContact is a web-based email marketing and surveying software. Visit Brandon’s Blog where he covers Marketing, Design, & Entrepreneurship.

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Designing Your Website For Your Visitors & Customers And Not The Search Engines

February 26th, 2009 by admin

It seems that every two to three months Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experts come up with a new twist of what they believe the three major search engines are looking for when ranking web pages and sites.
The SEO experts encourage website designers and owners to implement what they think are required design changes.

While you may want to keep up with the latest trends in SEO developments and from time to time you may want to implement SEO techniques, you should base most of your website design decisions on your customers needs.
Many sites go through minor and major re-designs of their website periodically. These re-designs should be made based on providing customer value and not solely based on trying to receive better search engine placement

I believe that viewer and customer feedback is the best way to know what your customers desire. This information can then be used to help you design the site to their specifications.

Many SEO experts believe that website developers should never link to sites with a PR (page rank) of less then 3. They feel that the three major search engines (Yahoo, Google and MSN) will penalize websites who link to low PR sites.

I think that this is ridiculous. If a website can provide value to your customers and visitors then you should link to that site, no matter what that site’s PR is.

I believe that this is acting in good faith. I believe that this ideology is providing value to the search engines, because you will be linking to sites that are providing value to your visitors.

I also believe that search engines are looking for quality and reliability in their search results. Content driven and popular sites should eventually be listed highly in the search engines.

As owner of ItsTheRightWay.com I believe that it’s my duty to inform our visitors about quality sites that may be of value to them.

If all web owners were to do business in this manner then eventually it will lead to valuable and quality sites being listed in Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Anthony Bloch - EzineArticles Expert Author

Anthony B. is the founder and owner of ItsTheRightWay.com a news, political, and sports commentary website.

Anthony has over 7 years of experience as a business professional.

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What Web Hosting Customers Want

February 23rd, 2009 by admin

With over twenty thousand webhosting companies competing for new customers, there’s been a lot of speculation over what people are looking for when they purchase hosting.

There are the obvious answers, of course – reliable servers, lots of features, reasonable prices, etc.

One thing that is almost always overlooked though, and I believe most people are looking for this, is “relationship”. After eight years in this business, it’s been my experience that cultivating good relationships with my clients is the best way to keep existing customers and attract new business.

I once attended a seminar put on by a business coach. One thing he said that has always stuck with me is that ‘business’ is just something we use as an excuse for interacting with people we enjoy.

There’s a lot of truth to that. We like to do business with people and companies which we like to do business with – not necessarily those which give the best price or even those that do the best job.

That’s where I think most webhosting companies have missed the boat.

While we can’t ignore essential elements of the business, like uptime and security, we must always remember that those faceless clients who subscribe to our services are real, living, breathing people with very real feelings, worries, and concerns. The better we can get to know our clients on a personal basis, the better we can address those worries and concerns.

Aside from the monetary benefits of fostering an atmosphere of goodwill, there are some really wonderful personal benefits as well.

I never know what my day may bring when I sit down at my telephone. Perhaps I’ll hear from James, our hollywood celebrity, or maybe I’ll talk to Ken, a retired state trooper. Maybe John, a Los Angeles talk show host, will give me a ring. Perhaps I’ll spend a few minutes chatting with Richard in San Antonio or Andy in The Bronx. I never know – but I’m always delighted to find out – just who is on the phone when I answer.

If you truly enjoy other people, it will show in your voice, and the person on the other end of the line will hang up feeling that someone who really cares paid attention to them and their problem.

Here’s the catch, though. You can’t fake it. People are incredibly perceptive, and they’ll immediately brand you as a phony if you’re not sincere.

If, however, you really do like your clients and enjoy interacting with them – the benefits to them and you will exceed anything you can possibly imagine.

Copyright 2006 Larry Dozier

Larry Dozier is part owner of A1 Web Server – http://a1webserver.com

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How to Create a Splash Page for Your Website?

February 22nd, 2009 by admin

These splash designs prove to be quite popular, especially among the designers as they allow the designer to show their skills in flash and any other technology on a single page. The splash page design involved in the splash page will be one that is very attractive to the eye of the viewer. Its main intention lies in captivating the viewer the moment he looks at it. It can be a stationary design or an animated design, which in turn makes it more interesting to look at!

There are quite a few advantages and disadvantages to a splash page. The main advantage of a splash page is that through a splash page, one can get all the information required on the first page of the website without much scrolling as splash pages are fast loading. And just think, after all that effort put into the making of that animation or flash splash page design, you can be confident that through a splash page, the visitors of the site at least see the splash design at least once. Splash pages are a great way to show off the best work you can produce, and thus also act as a portfolio of your work and work capacity for potential employers. As the splash page states the technical requirements required for their particular website, it allows the reader to choose, prior to visiting the site, the technology that best fits them and their computers. It is also a great means of using your server logs to get the complete breakdown of the actual number of customers to the website.

The cons to splash pages are not that many or major. It is only that some readers do not like splash pages as it prevents them from entering the website immediately, and thus may leave the site upon seeing the splash page. Splash pages also tend to break search engines as most splash pages have a redirect. It should be remembered that splash pages cannot be used for sending emails to a third party. As it can be seen, the pros of a splash page heavily outweigh the cons of a splash page. It all lies down on how one accepts a splash page on seeing it! Remember, splash pages are fun to build. They are very creative and allow the user to play around with animation and sound, to get the desired splash page design they need!

This article was written by Thomson Chemmanoor a Website optimization expert and webmaster who operates a website design company www.digitallabz.com www.articlenetworks.com and www.logodesignexpert.com. If you want to read more about this splash page and Splash Web page articles visit our website You can republish the articles without changing the content and the bio box.

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Sheds Need Not Be Too Costly when You Purchase On-line and Take Advantage of the Huge Choice

February 21st, 2009 by admin

There are a great deal of reasons why you would require a garden shed and as luck would have it there are sheds to suit just about every need. Garden sheds can be purchased just about everywhere but what you will find is the price will vary enormously. You should not have to abandon the shed you need because it is excessively overpriced though. A garden shed is something you purchase once and use for a long time and if you have a look on-line you can find cheap sheds at some silly prices. I do not mean cheap and silly as in quality but as in monetary value. You may find you can have the garden shed you need for the price of the one you were close to settle for much cheaper and if you have a garden that you tend to each day you will almost likely require to look into wooden garden sheds as a place to place the water hose, fertilizer and tools etc..

Looking after your garden tools and having them easily available is a really good idea. You can find cheap sheds on the internet that are the identical sheds you’d buy in the shop. As A Matter Of Fact, you can even go to the store and shop even spot them to find if it’s what you need then you can go on-line and buy it for a lot lower price. The difference in price is remarkable!

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Functions and Subroutines in ASP

February 19th, 2009 by admin

Functions and Subroutines in ASP

If you read our Tutorial on Include Files (SSI) then you learned how to encapsulate ASP code within include files and the benefits it brings us.

As developers, we should endeavour to make our lives easier wherever possible… no one wants to re-invent the wheel after all.

Functions and Subroutines exist to not only save us time, but to bring power to our ASP.

They are just another way of encapsulating code, but have a lot more functionality than just ’saving some code for later’.

First, let’s look at Functions… Imagine a balloon salesman in the street. We’ve all seen them they require one piece of information when you buy a balloon, the colour.

Let say we asked for a red balloon… The balloon salesman armed with this ‘information’ then does a pretty basic action… he hands you the balloon. The balloon you received is a direct result of the information you gave the balloon seller.

Functions are just the same… they return to you a value based on the information you provided. Lets look at an example Function: –

<%

Function getBalloon(strColour)

Dim Tempstr

strColour = lcase(strColour) ‘This converts the value lowercase.

Select Case strColour

Case “red” Tempstr = “Here is your red balloon”

Case “yellow” Tempstr = “Here is your yellow balloon”

Case “green” Tempstr = “Here is your green balloon”

Case “blue” Tempstr = “Here is your blue balloon”

Case Else Tempstr = “Sorry, we have sold out of that Colour”

End Select

getBalloon = Tempstr

End Function
%>

A Function is passed some information. The information we pass a Function, is known as an ‘argument’. The information we get back from a Function is known as the ‘return value’. Whilst a Function can have many arguments, it can only have one return value.

Let us look at one more example: –

<%

Function calcTax(amount, taxrate)

Dim Tempvar

Tempvar = amount * (taxrate / 100)

CalcTax = Round(Tempvar, 2) ’round the result to 2 decimal places

End Function

%>

Again, another basic example. We should notice this time that the Function accepts two arguments.

By now, we have some idea of how to write a Function. How do we use one?
Let me show you now how we can use the calcTax example.

<%

shoppingbill=goodsTotal + calcTax(goodsTotal,17.5)

Response.Write “Your shopping came to £” & goodsTotal

Response.Write “

VAT amount = £” & calcTax(goodsTotal)

Response.Write “Total Amount Due = £” & shoppingbill

%>

Above you see the example function in action… easy huh!

I have tried to make understanding Functions as easy as possible… Understanding a Subroutine (Sub) is now going to be easy for you. Imagine a block of code that performed some instructions based on information you gave it…
Sounds very much like a function, doesn?t it? Well this time, we do not get anything back. A sub does NOT pass back information it just uses the data we give it for some purpose.

I will use only one example of a Sub, and in the same example make use of the sub: –

<%

Sub Bday(strName, intAge)

Response.Write “Happy Birthday ” & Name

Response.Write “, You are ” & intAge & ” years old today”

End Sub

‘now, call the sub

bDay “Joe”,26

%>

The above Sub, demonstrates my point. We put something in, it performs an action (in this case writing to the screen), but nothing is returned to us in the code. One thing that REALLY IS important when using a sub, is that we do not put brackets around the arguments… Because we do not have a return value we do not need brackets and in this case, if we try we will get an error.

Well, that just about concludes this article. We should by now be writing efficient code with the use of Functions and Subs. Don?t forget that if you use your functions and subs in multiple pages then you should really store them within include files for reasons of easy maintenance and better performance.

Rob Collyer,experienced with 20 yearsprogramming knowledge andsite administratorof www.webforumz.com- Copyright 2003-2004

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Types in Logo Design

February 19th, 2009 by admin

Text-Based Logo Design The mainly extensively used of all logo types; the Text-Based design focuses on text and style but can include other elements as well. A Text-Based design may be best suited for corporations whose name successfully portray what they do (TCS Couriers, Home Freight) devoid of graphical essentials to communicate that message, a literal explanation of the words is often necessary. (For example, all of us know it very well that Wal-Mart is a very big mart because its logo design actually explains it all.)

A Text-Based design is often text only with exclusive typographic behavior (e.g. Microsoft, Yahoo). Most frequently however, the business name is included mutually with easy graphic elements to create a clean, simple individuality. The depiction of the word in essence turns out to be a representation of the business.

Prefer a Text-Based design when: * Communication funds are inadequate and should be paying attention on name recognition. * Your name is logically distinguishing but not (yet) a household word. * You want to correlate products or subsidiaries with the parent more clearly and directly than a symbol permits. Letter-mark Based Logo Design Comparable to a Text-Based design, a Letter-mark Based design is entirely typographic mark, typically concerning initials or abbreviations. Monograms and anagrams are Letter-mark Based design. The illustration of the letters fundamentally becomes a symbol of the business.

Prefer a Letter-mark Based design when:

* Your initials interpret graphically better than your genuine name. * You need to link subsidiaries to the parent and can’t easily use the name. * You can afford to teach the public what the Letter-mark means. Brand-mark Based Symbol An easy but strong graphic figure, often abstract, that harmonizes a facet of a business or service and symbolize a company by relationship. (Think of NIKE or Apple Computer.)

Prefer a Brand-mark Based design when: * You need an emblem on a product. * Your name is too long, too common, doesn’t interpret well globally, or has no qualities. * You need to link auxiliary to the parent and can’t easily use the name. * You can afford to teach the public what the symbol means.

Icon-Based Logotype Icon-based logotypes are also referred to as combination marks. An Icon-based logotype generally combines a brand-mark Based symbol with a word-mark Based. The combination can be loose or integral. With a loose combination, the elements can be used together or separately. A good icon based company logo design can effectively communicate what a company does as well as reflect the company personality.

Prefer an Icon- Based design when: * You are a startup enterprise or small business with limited funds. * Your name is reasonably distinctive but not (yet) a household word. * You need an emblem on a product, but want more than just a symbol. Since Icon-based Logotypes communicate more readily than other logo design types, less marketing is required for the logo to be effective. Therefore, icon-based logotypes are the most cost effective type of logo design available and are ideal for startups or small businesses with limited marketing budgets.

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Better Prostate Gland Well-being with Natural Remedies

February 18th, 2009 by admin

BPH, or benign prostate hyperplasia, is a standard medical term frequently used for an enlarged prostate gland. This means that the prostate gland, a gland which encloses the urethra and lies under the bladder, grows bigger this can compromise and even stop urinary flow. The prostate enlarges as the years go by and may create different ailments such as difficulties with micturition, reduced urinary flow, and even a feeling of fullness in the bladder after micturition. Frequent night time urination and even inflammation of the urinary tract are a few of of the additional problems that may arise from an enlarged prostate. BPH – Medical and Surgical Treatments

Males in their sixties commonly develop an enlarged prostate gland. It is recommended that men over the age of 50 undergo an exam by their personal doctors annually, irrespective of the presentation of any symptoms, to help sustain improved prostatic wellness. Look For medical intervention immediately if the urine contains blood or you are unable to micturate.

Surgery or the use of pharmaceuticals are standard treatments for prostate gland enlargement. Unfortunately, surgical operations may lead to further symptoms for example erectile problems or inability to control micturition. An alpha blocker or medicines which shrink the swollen prostate gland are often given to improve prostate wellness, however, medication will frequently have unwanted side effects so what alternative treatments are recommended?

Swollen Prostate Symptoms? Find Natural Answers to Improved Prostate Health: — To aid in the relief of any problems connected with prostate enlargement and in addition to promote better prostate fitness, several holistic formulae can improve the problem. Inflammation may be eased by the treatment Afican pygeum, offering a reduction of the more disagreeable symptoms. Derived from the fruit of a tree indigenous to southern Africa, African pygeum has been used on a regular basis by the Europeans for many years as a therapy to promote improved prostate gland health.

Dietetic changes such as decreasing the consumption of fats may improve symptoms, and in addition increasing exercise, the pressure in the prostate should also be relieved through ejaculating regularly, it is also best to avoid sitting for a long time. Use of over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestant drugs can worsen any symptoms of a swollen prostate, consume these with care. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol consumption, avoid drinking near going to bed to cut down night time bathroom trips.

Prostate health may be also be improved with other natural remedies for example saw palmetto extract, starflower oil capsules, the element selenium, and also lycopene, a molecule found in tomatoes. Please talk over your plans with your physician prior to starting the herbal treatment of a swollen prostate.

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Get, or Stay, in Shape with these Great Aerobic Exercises!

February 15th, 2009 by admin

There are many types of aerobic exercise out there, but how do you know which on is right for you? There are many factors to consider when choosing a new exercise. First, decide if you want to add high impact or low impact exercises. You may want to add just one or a combination. High impact aerobic exercise is very intense exercise that is not recommended for those who are overweight, elderly, out of shape, or injured. If you fall into one of these categories and would still like to consider adding high impact aerobic exercise to your routine, consult a doctor.

Some favorite high impact aerobic exercises include running, kickboxing, step aerobics and jump rope training. If you are looking for something social to do at the health club looking for a kickboxing or step aerobics class may be your best bet. These classes can burn upwards of 700 calories per hour and are a great way to make new friends who are also focused on fitness. If you are looking for a more solitary or take anywhere workout try running or jump rope training.

For people who are not ready to add high impact aerobics to their workout routine there is a great alternative in low impact aerobics. Some favorites in the low impact category include walking, water aerobics and dance. All of these can be fun social activities that are easy on your body and still fantastic workouts. Look for classes at your health club. Water aerobics can be especially fun because the waters resistance helps you burn more calories with each movement than you would on land. This can be a great alternative for those who are elderly or overweight.

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Internet Sports Gambling Keeps Risk Takers Safe Indoors

February 13th, 2009 by admin

bet gambling sports gambling

A new wave of risk takers should have seen the slogan “offshore sports betting”, though some maybe aren’t totally in the know what that represents. An overseas betting website primarily runs external to the rule of a given country alternatively it can also mean a net based sports betting web site that places its main servers inside the boundaries of a land where internet based sports betting is not presently prohibited. To sum up therefore, it can be described as a gambling organization in action outside the area of the patron. Live gaming world wide websites are by and large governed via 3 agencies. These are dubbed OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA.

The OSGA is in fact a nonpartisan bureau that audits the modern overseas sports betting business in an effort to offer gaming afficionados an easy way to to easily pick out honorable websites to play betting games with. It works to assure customer’s rights, and also they charge no membership expenses. The Offshore Gaming Association is a well qualified and nonpartisan third party agency that expresses non-biased points of view, suggested by customer feedback, unbiased study, telephone chats, inside information moreover offers inside gossip.

The Interactive Gaming Council are a nonprofit organisation. The organization was set up to allow an arena for concerned individuals to address subjects and also to further mutual concerns in the international online sports gaming business, in an effort to establish upright and also effective professional guidelines and practises which improve end user confidence in internet betting commodities and utilities, also to aid as the industry’s generic strategy advocate and in addition the council offers a data base of operations.

The IGC has established a reputation for upholding honesty, fairness and in addition credibility on account of the tough standards it establishes, and in addition its appeal for business concerns of principled ethics. The Interactive Gaming Council monitors overseas sports betting by endorsing a characteristic ten-point operational process and also bills sports gambling businesses fees to feature the council’s logo. Malcontent gamers may, if they wish, report any of their disputes to the IGC.

The FTGA has been set up in a venture to set a standard which will raise the policies of machine-accessible sports gambling commercial enterprises. The IGC understand that by doing trade with companies of honorable standing, they can form an affiliation of the fairest and professional online betting businesses world-wide.

There are agencies that govern the transactions of networked sports gaming and which should function to mitigate any uneasiness due to the insecurity held by cynics. World wide web based gambling websites are at present entirely harmless, beacuse individual data are no longer required and the recompense and the gambling odds are generally just as uniform and honest as in your usual Vegas-style wager. They eradicate travel, but still maintain the underlying essence, but nowadays you are enabled to gamble at your own desk.

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