17 Feb 2008:I have 1 new affiliate: Vanessa of Flying High and 1 new link exchange: Ai of Deadly Nightshade 12 Feb 2008: Added a new PHP tutorial.
07 Feb 2008: There are several new songs on the 'TUNES' playlist and the MP3 Downloads are back up again!
06 Feb 2008: Added a New Link Exchange. Be sure to check out Hawaiian Paradise.
05 Feb 2008: There are now 6 new manga series for download: Aishiteruze Baby, Beauty is the Beast, Ichiban!!, Random Walk, Parfait Tic, and Wallflower.
04 Feb 2008: Added a New Link Exchange. Be sure to check out Animara.org.
It is a very competitive world out there. If you want recognition of your site, then you're going to have to compete with the best because they are the ones that have already established themselves and have almost perfected advertisement to an art. The ability to spread the word about a web site is what seperates the popular sites from the mediocre ones. However, gaining hits and directing traffic towards your site can be a tricky business. The key is to find a way to maintain returning visitors. You want visitors that will keep coming back for more. The best way to do this is to actually offer something that people want or need. Give them a reason to return everyday. Here's how.
Before you begin, ask yourself:
"What do I have to offer?"
There are a bazillion web sites out there that cover the same topics as yours, offer the same kind of material as yours, and consist of the same kind of content as yours. What sets your web site apart from the rest? Why should people visit your web site over somebody elses? Does your content have better quality or do you particularly depend on quantity? Personally, I value "quality over quantity" I put alot of effort into my work and it shows. But due to that, I don't whip out as much layouts, designs, and tutorials as I could if I were to concentrate more on"quantity". Some people go to websites with the most content while there are some people that go to web sites that have the best content even if there's not that much of it. But you should find yourself a "happy medium". Don't focus too much on quality or else your website will never grow. Don't focus too much on quantity either because people will notice that the only reason why you have so much content is because you half-assed everything.
"How reliable is my content?"
Research about the articles you plan on putting on your site before you post them.
You don't want to risk giving people false information.
"Is my content legible?"
If people cannot understand what you're talking about then they definitely won't stay for
long. Restrain from making excessive grammar mistakes and using chat talk. It makes your site look childish and
rudimentary. Who likes running into this on every page: W3LŠ0M3 2 D@ $iT3 <--Can you read that? See the point I'm trying to make here?
"Is my layout appealing?"
Create a layout that will grab your attention. I'm not saying you have to be an
expert graphic designer but you should be able to create something that doesn't make your viewers flee in
horror. Restrain from blinding your visitors and stay away from clashing colors and text that is either
too light or too small to read. If you're not too skilled at creating graphics, then keep it simple. I've seen
some sites create some really amazing layouts with just HTML Tables, Divs, and CSS with little or no graphics.
Concentrate on sharpening your coding skills rather than your graphic skills if that's the case. And always try to
be creative and unique. Don't try to mimic other peoples's ideas. I'm sure if you put your mind to it you can make up something even better. You can get inspiration from other sites but be sure to make it your own. Add your own personal style and make it "you".
"Am I targeting the right audience?"
What type of people do you want looking at your web site. Is it more professional and adult-oriented, or is it more of a hobby thus more kid-oriented? Is it an anime-themed site or is it more generic? Be sure that you are targeting the right audience by using grammar and language that is appropriate for whatever age you are targeting. Also place graphics and content on your site that is appealing to adults only if it is a professional site and place graphics and content on your site that is appealing to anime-lovers only if it is an anime site. For example, it would be unwise to call your web site "Ani-Web" when all you have on your web site are fan pics of
Johnny Depp. Does that make sense? no.
"How fast does my site load"
If I have to refresh your page over and over then I'm gone. If I have to wait 10 seconds for your page to load then I'm gone. And I'm not the only one who is this impatient. Slow page load time is the number 1 reason why people leave web sites. It doesn't matter how good your site is. If it is taking forever to load then people aren't going to stick around to wait for it to appear. Follow up on this tutorial to find out how to minimize the time it takes for your pages to load.
"Do I update my site regularly?"
People need something new to look forward to every time they come to your site. It might have taken you months to build up the content on your site. But guess how long it would take for a visitor to explore your entire site? Probably less than 30 minutes. Therefore update as often as possible. People will get in the habit of returning sporadically because they know that your site will probably be updated by the next time they come around.
"Do I have any plagiarism?"
I cannot stress this enough. Do not plagiarize under any circumstances. It is against the law. You can be federally punished if someone finds their articles copied-and-pasted word for word on your site. If you are caught stealing someone's work it will hurt your site's integrity and people will automatically think that everything off your site is stolen even if it was really just one unmarked graphic. Just give credit whenever credits due.
How do I begin to advertise?
You've just created this spanking new web site, and now you have to find a way to tell the world that "I'm here!".
These 10 tips on advertising your site will help you gain more hits in a snap.
Get Listed on Search Engines
The best search engine out there is of course Google. Billions of people search off of Google each day. If you're a Google whore like me then you use Google just to learn how to spell your own name :P. Google will usually "pick up" sites that are popular and add them to their search listings automatically. How does Google decide if your web site is popular? Well there are several factors involved such as the number of hits you have or how many relevant web sites (already in their listing) link to your web site. However if your site is completely new you'll have to add your URL to Google yourself. Go here to add your URL now. Once submitted, Google will add you to their list of URLs to crawl. Once you get listed in Google, the other search engines will follow. However it is not guaranteed when or if you URL will appear. In the meantime you can submit your URL to these other search engine listings:
Note:To get listed into certain search engines you will need Meta tags in your web pages. Meta tags are a set of tags that go between the <head> and </head> section of your web page and it helps search engines decide how to list and rank your web site. Click here to learn more about meta tags.
Sign Guestbooks, Tagboards or Cboxes
Sign the guestbooks and tagboards of web sites that you like. This is great for designers with really new web sites with no clue where to start. This way you can easily gain visibility for your site. However always be polite. Restrain from making posts like "Please check out my site!!!". Don't be so forward. People will check out your site. You don't need to make demands on them. Otherwize, they'll do what I do and ignore your post just because you said that. It makes you look like you are just using their services to advertise your own web site... which may be true. But hey! They don't need to know that! LOL
Plugboards
Plugboards are a fun quick way to show people you have a site. You may only get a few clicks here and there but hey, it's better than nothing. Be sure to create a 88x31 button that is eye catching. There are usually 8 or more other plugs on a typical plugboard. Try to catch people's attention with an original flashy button.
Affiliates are similar web sites that agree to link back to each other. Link Exchanges are practically the same thing except usually a link exchange appears on one page while usually an affilaite appears on every page... However there are instances where this may not be true. Affiliates are very beneficial because they can serve as long-time friends or companions. You can learn from each other and exchange ideas and advice. Also if a visitor off of your Affiliate's site doesn't find what they're looking for at their web site, then they may stop by yours because, being one of their affiliates, they'll know they'll find something relevant to what they're looking for. But the same applies to visitors off of your web site as well. Depending on what type of affiliates you take in, you can gain a lot of traffic this way. However, to apply for some affiliates your web site must adhere to some guidelines. Always read the guidelines for Affiliate applications before you apply. Take in affiliates sparingy. Usually people won't take in applicants that have somewhere around 15 affiliates or more because it looks like you're only using them to feed off of their hits. Most sites, including mine, will delete you from their affiliates if you are inconsiderate and don't make attempts to be friends with them. It's usually expected that you stay in contact with them in some way. If this turns you off, then perhaps a link exchange is better for you. The guidelines for link exchange applications are not as strict, however you will gain less hits with a link exchange.
Button Rotations
Button Rotations are kawaii! Mostly anyone can join one. When you join a button rotation, you must submit an 88x31 button with a functional link to your web site. When approved, the button rotation site will generate a code to be place on your web site (in a visible area). Every time the page loads, a new button will appear. If somebody else who is a member of the same button rotation loads their page where the button rotation was embedded then there is a possibility that your button will appear on their site! And if your button is eye-catching enough then over time you can generate a lot of clicks. The number of times your button shows up on other peoples pages usually depends on your own button impressions. The more impressions (views) that the button rotation has on your web site, then the more impressions your button will have on other web sites with the same button rotation. Therefore it is recommended that you place button rotations on every page of your site. Below are the button rotations I've joined. Sign-up is usually very quick and easy.
Implement Linkware
Linkware consists of buttons, banners, or text links that all visitors must use to link back to your web site whenever they use your graphics, designs, or services. Provide buttons with your site name for people to use since buttons are usually the preferred linkware form. This is how most web designers get their traffic. How else will people know that you created those designs when they see it on someone else's pages? It is important that you require all visitors to link back to your site in the event that they use any of your (free) products. If you offer free coding, try to embed the link in the coding. You took so much time to create it, you deserve the credit. Also linkware prevents people from claiming your work as your own. And that's no fun!
Join Contests
There are tons of web sites out there that offer cool contests with even cooler prizes. But another advantage of winning a contest is that you usually get a plug on the site that hosted the contest. Your web site can be linked on the site for as short as a week to as long as a year... or even longer!
Word of Mouth
I've come to find that "word of mouth" is one the best forms of advertisement. If people like your web site enough to refer their own friends to it on their own free will, then you know you are making an impact with your site. And what's even better is that "word of mouth" is viral. It spreads like wildfire! If one friend refers two friends to your site, and then those two friends refer their own friends to your site, and those friends refer their own friends on top of that, then before you know it, you're raking in some real hits! However, It takes a lot of time and effort to make a big enough impression on people so that they'll want to start spreading the word about your web site voluntarily. You won't have people referring your web site overnight. Stay consistent, update regularly, keep on putting out good work, perfect your advertisement techniques, and before you know it, your web site will become the talk of the town.
