Archive for February, 2008
February 27th, 2008 at 12:56pm
Under Email
It is wonderful that you have a large email list. However, how do you ensure that you have the lowest bounce rate possible, and the email is bringing you the best result? Let us talk about email delivery here.
1. Make sure your contents are relevant
If you have a shopping site, it is a good idea to segment your email list to the products of interest. Base on the segment you can send emails out with highly targeted content - and hence a jump in conversion.
2. Are You a Safe Sender?
In the welcome email, make sure you ask the subscriber to add your email address as a safe sender. If your email landed in the junk mail folder, it is very likely that it will not be read.
3. How often do you send? What do you send?
Don’t over/under promise. If you claimed to send monthly, send monthly. Don’t annoy your subscribers with ‘Act now! Offer close in 48 hours’ every few days. Moreover, send newsletters with information rather than just products on special.
4. Is your email spammy?
Make sure you go through the spam test (provided by most email services) and eliminate any spammy words / characters etc. A line with 10 exclamation marks is not a good idea either.
5. Personalization
Use this carefully as spammers tend to do this now. However, an email with personalized header / subject is more likely to convert.
6. Make the new comers feel special
Along with the welcome email, why not send along your latest newsletter / recent offers?
7. Make sure you keep your permission from the subscriber
Double opt-in is important. Make sure your database keeps such information, in case you receive a complaint or even a law suit later.
8. Focus on what is most important
Open rate - for informative emails
Click through rate - for sales focused emails
I found these the most important. Every business has different KPI. Identify and focus on them.
9. Handle unsubscription promptly
Make sure your database handles subscription promptly. If someone unsubscribed, follow up with a ‘I’m sorry to see you go’ email and ask them to come back to visit your site more often.
10. Testing
Last but not least, a poorly designed / broken email design is very likely to drive people away, as this reflects your professionalism. Make sure you run enough testing before sending it out. To learn how to compile an HTML email, you can visit my older post Email Marketing Made Easy.
By Leo
February 26th, 2008 at 11:30am
Under Reviews
If you use Telnet and SSH in your business, then you need to seriously consider employing Pragma System to create your SCP (Secure Copy) of data.
Pragma System has more than 16 years of experience, focusing on the Telnet and SSH aspect. They have achieved a high level of technical knowledge, domain expertise, and industrial experience.
Pragma System is based in Austin, Texas. Their software is now employed widely by numerous companies, nationally or internationally.
(Brought to you by Pragma System)
By Leo
February 18th, 2008 at 07:50am
Under Tracking
Many people are familiar with Google Analytics. Indeed, Google bought the Urchin Software back in 2005 and developed Analytics out of it.
The reason why Google Analytics is so popular is that it is free. However, it is facing a competition now - which is the Google Urchin. 
You may ask, what is the difference? Here you go:
- Analytics is free, Urchin costs $2,995.
- Analytics cannot track through security firewalls / other restrictions, Urchin can.
- Analytics is an online service, but Urchin can be installed on your own server(s).
Urchin is availabe in 9 major languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese.
By Leo
February 14th, 2008 at 10:38am
Under Reviews
Computer based training - more commonly known as eTraining, online learning, eCourse, elearning …
My first impression of elearning is to apply for a course online, read the material presented by webpage / flash / both, take a simple quiz. However, Resource Bridge has made it different.
Resource Bridge specialized in customized CBT and web based training. They provide elearning for different kinds of companies, helping employees to improve their skills. People can log onto the system and take the training wherever they are.
This is a real alternative to the traditional classroom. You do not have to attend the 8pm lecture if you are busy. You can take it anytime you want, wherever you like.
Who are perfect to take an online course?
1. People with tight schedule - you control the time
2. People with tight budget - train all your employees with the help of an internet connection, reducing travel and support costs
3. People wanting to be brought up to speed quickly - again, you control the time!
Resource Bridge’s courses are designed, developed and implemented to give end users an engaged learning environement. They provide the highest quality of computer or web based training. Their customized eLearning solutions are always engaging, motivating and appropriate for your specific audience and culture.
By Leo
February 14th, 2008 at 10:19am
Under SEO
Search Engine Optimization - it has come to more and more people’s attention of what this is. In the last web era, businesses tend to get a website representing their company. However, when the new era comes, it is more important to be found in the ocean of the search results.
What affects SEO? It is not one particular factor. It is a combination of several factors. The known and proven factors are:
1. Links
search engines casts each link to the website as a ‘vote’. The more ‘vote’ your website has, the more important your website is and hence, search engines would grant the website a higher ranking. This leads to the famous (but really long and boring) linking building activities.
2. Anchor Text
You type a keyword to search for what you want in search engines. What does search engines try to match your search query? One of them is the anchor text of the links that you have built. Therefore, instead of using the URL as link text, use carefully chosen, targeted anchor text.
3. Content
The other item that search engines tries to match is the content of your webpage. What good is it if someone searched on search engines and found your site, but it doesn’t contain the information needed? Therefore, make sure your website has targeted and relevant contents.
4. Keyword Density
If you are targeting a particular phrase on a page, it might pay to repeat it a few times as search engines would be able to have a clearer insight of what the page is about. However, don’t spam it. Penalty does apply.
5. Headings
For search engines to identify what the page is about, use appropriate headings surrounded by <h1> tags. Try to use only 1 h1 tag on a page, maybe a few h2s / h3s if required.
6. Link Authority
Where do the links come from? Search engines gives more weight to the links from websites of relevant contents.
7. Timeliness
How often is the website updated? Search engines believe people favour fresh contents. In your XML sitemap, make sure you have this stated clearly (and match the frequency of update).
8. Generate a Buzz
Social bookmarking has a huge effect nowadays. Make good use of them!
By Leo
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