Online Business / Hosting: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Forum Marketing
Participating in forums is a great way to market your online business. Forum users are generally net savvy and open to making online purchases, which is why well-executed forum marketing is a high ROI strategy. Many forum users are also respected experts and bloggers in the specific topics covered by the forum. Making a good impression in front of this influential audience can help you make sales and generate critical buzz for your online business.
Participating in forums is a great way to market your online business. Forum users are generally net savvy and open to making online purchases, which is why well-executed forum marketing is a high ROI strategy. Many forum users are also respected experts and bloggers in the specific topics covered by the forum. Making a good impression in front of this influential audience can help you make sales and generate critical buzz for your online business.
Cheap Domain Name Registration
List of reputable but cheap domain name registrars.
List of reputable but cheap domain name registrars.
60+ Ad and Affiliate Programs
List of Advertising Networks and Affiliate Programs
List of Advertising Networks and Affiliate Programs
Gmail Email Templates
How to setup and configure "canned responses" (email templates) in Gmail.
How to setup and configure "canned responses" (email templates) in Gmail.
Cheap Web Hosting Under \$10
Cheap, low cost shared Web hosting providers that are reliable options for a business website.
Cheap, low cost shared Web hosting providers that are reliable options for a business website.
Affiliate Marketing Tips
Affiliate marketing is the business of marketing a product or service for someone else, then getting paid if visitors complete an action like fill out a form or actually purchases the product. Here are the top ten tips for successful affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is the business of marketing a product or service for someone else, then getting paid if visitors complete an action like fill out a form or actually purchases the product. Here are the top ten tips for successful affiliate marketing.
Improve Search Engine Rankings
Top 10 factors that affect your website's search results ranking. Easy to understand explanations and practical application tips.
Top 10 factors that affect your website's search results ranking. Easy to understand explanations and practical application tips.
How to Buy Wholesale Products
Tips for finding a distributor where you can buy wholesale products for your retail business.
Tips for finding a distributor where you can buy wholesale products for your retail business.
Find the Best Web Hosting
5 steps to find a Web hosting provider that perfectly suits the needs of your online business
5 steps to find a Web hosting provider that perfectly suits the needs of your online business
Where to Find Blogging Jobs
Top 10 websites where you can find paid blogging jobs.
Top 10 websites where you can find paid blogging jobs.
Brick-and-Mortar to Ecommerce
A step-by-step guide for main street retailers on how to start an ecommerce business selling goods online.
A step-by-step guide for main street retailers on how to start an ecommerce business selling goods online.
42 Most Useful Firefox Add-ons
List of 42 useful Firefox addons, sorted by functionality and work needs.
List of 42 useful Firefox addons, sorted by functionality and work needs.
Twitter 101 for Small Business
Small business owners can use Twitter as a powerful customer engagement and marketing platform. Here are the basics of Twitter lingo and conventions to get you tweeting quickly.
Small business owners can use Twitter as a powerful customer engagement and marketing platform. Here are the basics of Twitter lingo and conventions to get you tweeting quickly.
Top 10 Web Design Job Boards
Places where people can post Requests for Proposals/Quote (RFP), or where freelance Web designer can find job.
Places where people can post Requests for Proposals/Quote (RFP), or where freelance Web designer can find job.
Web Based Invoicing Tools
Billing and invoicing websites that are easy to use and have just enough features for an individual or small team of freelancers.
Billing and invoicing websites that are easy to use and have just enough features for an individual or small team of freelancers.
11 Do-It-Yourself SEO Tricks
Despite lots of hype by SEO consultants, the basics of SEO are actually pretty straightforward. In fact, I recommend against hiring SEO consultants until you have tried this article’s DIY strategies for improving search engine ranking yourself. This will save you money and make you a smarter web marketer.
Despite lots of hype by SEO consultants, the basics of SEO are actually pretty straightforward. In fact, I recommend against hiring SEO consultants until you have tried this article’s DIY strategies for improving search engine ranking yourself. This will save you money and make you a smarter web marketer.
Belkin F5L009
Review of the Belkin F5L009 Network Attached 5-Port USB Hub
Review of the Belkin F5L009 Network Attached 5-Port USB Hub
Firefox 3 = Best Web Browser
Firefox 3 is the best Web browser on the market due to its significant performance boost (it's blazingly fast!), new anti-phishing features, and a revolutionary user interface.
Firefox 3 is the best Web browser on the market due to its significant performance boost (it's blazingly fast!), new anti-phishing features, and a revolutionary user interface.
5 Traits of Successful CEOs
A successful CEO (one who leads their company to its highest potential) has the following 5 traits: understands the vision, macro manages, follows industry trends, hires a strong team, and always has the customer in mind.
A successful CEO (one who leads their company to its highest potential) has the following 5 traits: understands the vision, macro manages, follows industry trends, hires a strong team, and always has the customer in mind.
Yahoo! Store Review
Yahoo's fully hosted ecommerce has been around since 1998 and hosts more than 45,000 online businesses. It has a rich, mature and powerful feature set. Due to its popularity and long history, there is a large community of freelance designers, developers, and SEO consultants.
Yahoo's fully hosted ecommerce has been around since 1998 and hosts more than 45,000 online businesses. It has a rich, mature and powerful feature set. Due to its popularity and long history, there is a large community of freelance designers, developers, and SEO consultants.
Twitter Apps and Clients
Most useful Twitter clients, tools and services for small business.
Most useful Twitter clients, tools and services for small business.
Amazon Associates
How to use the many tools and options available in Amazon.com's affiliate program.
How to use the many tools and options available in Amazon.com's affiliate program.
Review: Teamwork PM
In depth review of Teamwork PM, the Web based project management software for freelancers and small teams.
In depth review of Teamwork PM, the Web based project management software for freelancers and small teams.
Web Based Project Management
Web based project management software for freelancers and Web teams. Some cater to small team collaboration, some can scale up to support an enterprise. All are offered as a hosted service.
Web based project management software for freelancers and Web teams. Some cater to small team collaboration, some can scale up to support an enterprise. All are offered as a hosted service.
Hiring a Web Designer
Step-by-step guide to hiring the best possible Web designer for your budget.
Step-by-step guide to hiring the best possible Web designer for your budget.
5 Web Design RFP Essentials
How to Write an Effective Request for Proposal (RFP)
How to Write an Effective Request for Proposal (RFP)
Web Design Contract Essentials
6 essential clauses in a Web design contract
6 essential clauses in a Web design contract
Contextual Ads w/ AdWords
How to run a contextually relevant, keyword targeting ad campaign on search and content sites using Google AdWords.
How to run a contextually relevant, keyword targeting ad campaign on search and content sites using Google AdWords.
Types of Web Hosting
Overview of the types of Web hosting from the cheapest shared hosting to running your own dedicated server.
Overview of the types of Web hosting from the cheapest shared hosting to running your own dedicated server.
Social Networking for Business
Social networking Web sites are not only for teenagers. Business and professionals can benefit from these three social networking sites.
Social networking Web sites are not only for teenagers. Business and professionals can benefit from these three social networking sites.
eBay Search Tips & Tricks
Tips & tricks for mastering eBay's search engine so you can find stuff.
Tips & tricks for mastering eBay's search engine so you can find stuff.
Social Media Overview
Overview of Social Media Including Social News, Bookmarking, Networking, and Marketing.
Overview of Social Media Including Social News, Bookmarking, Networking, and Marketing.
Shopify Review
Review of Shopify as an ecommerce solution for small business.
Review of Shopify as an ecommerce solution for small business.
VPS Web Hosts
Top Web Hosts Specializing in VPS Hosting. VPS stands for "Virtual Private Server".
Top Web Hosts Specializing in VPS Hosting. VPS stands for "Virtual Private Server".
6 Easy Ways to Monetize a Site
Ad networks and affiliate programs that are easy to get started and use so you can monetize your blog or website quickly.
Ad networks and affiliate programs that are easy to get started and use so you can monetize your blog or website quickly.
AdWords Ad Formats
Policies and rules for buying online advertising using Google AdWords.
Policies and rules for buying online advertising using Google AdWords.
eBay Negative Feedback
If you do get an eBay negative feedback, here are 5 tips for mitigating the damage it inflicts. In some cases, you may even be able to get the negative reversed.
If you do get an eBay negative feedback, here are 5 tips for mitigating the damage it inflicts. In some cases, you may even be able to get the negative reversed.
AdWords Local
AdWords also allows you to target ads to a local audience and have your business listing appear in Google Maps searches.
AdWords also allows you to target ads to a local audience and have your business listing appear in Google Maps searches.
Online Advertising Terms
Glossary of Essential Online Advertising Terms
Glossary of Essential Online Advertising Terms
AdWords Website Placement
How to buy text or banner ads on specific websites in the Google Content Network.
How to buy text or banner ads on specific websites in the Google Content Network.
Get the Best Web Design Work
Getting a successful website design can be tricky business. A successful project is very much the result of a good collaborative effort between both Web designer and client. Here are some tips on how to get the best work from your Web designer.
Getting a successful website design can be tricky business. A successful project is very much the result of a good collaborative effort between both Web designer and client. Here are some tips on how to get the best work from your Web designer.
AdWords Getting Started
All about website placement targeted ad campaigns using Google AdWords.
All about website placement targeted ad campaigns using Google AdWords.
3 Blog Revenue Streams
There are three primary revenue sources for blogs: advertising, donations and paid membership. Here are tips for using each profit vehicle.
There are three primary revenue sources for blogs: advertising, donations and paid membership. Here are tips for using each profit vehicle.
10 Get Started Blogging Tips
Whether you want to publish a blog for fun or profit, use these 10 tips to get started on the right foot.
Whether you want to publish a blog for fun or profit, use these 10 tips to get started on the right foot.
Choosing a Domain Name
Tips for choosing a domain name from a domain registration expert.
Tips for choosing a domain name from a domain registration expert.
Phishing
Phishing is a common email and Internet scam where the perpetrator tries to get your personal information including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and home phone and address. Scams often originate as a fake but legitimate looking email from a trusted bank.
Phishing is a common email and Internet scam where the perpetrator tries to get your personal information including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and home phone and address. Scams often originate as a fake but legitimate looking email from a trusted bank.
VPS - Virtual Private Server
VPS stands for "virtual private server". When you have a VPS Web hosting plan, you are allocated a dedicated slice of system resources but share the physical hardware with other hosting clients.
VPS stands for "virtual private server". When you have a VPS Web hosting plan, you are allocated a dedicated slice of system resources but share the physical hardware with other hosting clients.
Yammer
Profile of Yammer, a Twitter-like microblogging service for businesses.
Profile of Yammer, a Twitter-like microblogging service for businesses.
Twitter
Profile of Twitter, the microblogging service, from the perspective of an online business.
Profile of Twitter, the microblogging service, from the perspective of an online business.
Monetization for Probloggers
An Interview With Lynn Truong, the Director of Sales for blog network Killer Aces Media. In this interview, we ask Lynn to share some behind the scenes tips for making money from blogging.
An Interview With Lynn Truong, the Director of Sales for blog network Killer Aces Media. In this interview, we ask Lynn to share some behind the scenes tips for making money from blogging.
Google AdWords
Best practices for buying contextually relevant online advertising via Google AdWords.
Best practices for buying contextually relevant online advertising via Google AdWords.
CPM (Cost Per Mille)
How much it costs an advertiser to show an ad 1,000 times. A $100 CPM means the advertiser paid $100 per every 1,000 times his ad appears on a website. CPM is the most common measurement of online advertising costs. Also known as cost per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
How much it costs an advertiser to show an ad 1,000 times. A $100 CPM means the advertiser paid $100 per every 1,000 times his ad appears on a website. CPM is the most common measurement of online advertising costs. Also known as cost per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
Contributor Profiles
Profiles of contributors to the About.com Online Business / Hosting guide site.
Profiles of contributors to the About.com Online Business / Hosting guide site.
Jonathan Fields interview
Interview with the author of Career Renegade, Jonathan Fields. Discusses his own amazing career path, with tips and resources for people looking to work their dream career.
Interview with the author of Career Renegade, Jonathan Fields. Discusses his own amazing career path, with tips and resources for people looking to work their dream career.
CPC (Cost Per Click)
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay by the number of times visitors click on an ad. A typical range is 5 cents to $1 per click. Also known as pay-per-click.
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay by the number of times visitors click on an ad. A typical range is 5 cents to $1 per click. Also known as pay-per-click.
B2C (Business to Consumer)
Commercial activity conducted between a company and an end consumer. B2C is often used to describe the retail part of Ecommerce.
Commercial activity conducted between a company and an end consumer. B2C is often used to describe the retail part of Ecommerce.
Shopify
Shopify is a hosted Ecommerce store that caters to small retailers and has an easy-to-use interface.
Shopify is a hosted Ecommerce store that caters to small retailers and has an easy-to-use interface.
Business Blogger Pay
When you decide to hire a blogger for your business blog, it's important to pay bloggers based on their performance. You want to incentivize your Web team to hit blogging targets that help achieve your business goals.
When you decide to hire a blogger for your business blog, it's important to pay bloggers based on their performance. You want to incentivize your Web team to hit blogging targets that help achieve your business goals.
Changing E-Mail Service
Advice on changing email newsletter providers.
Advice on changing email newsletter providers.
Small Biz Accounting Interview
13 Questions for Quickbooks expert and small business accounting consultant Camille Wright.
13 Questions for Quickbooks expert and small business accounting consultant Camille Wright.
Website Monitoring Services
Top site monitoring services that alert you when your website goes down. Some also provide uptime and response time tracking and reporting.
Top site monitoring services that alert you when your website goes down. Some also provide uptime and response time tracking and reporting.
6 Copywriting Tips
Copywriting is your website's secret weapon for customer conversion. Use these 6 strategies from Scott Fox, author of Internet Riches, for successful copywriting.
Copywriting is your website's secret weapon for customer conversion. Use these 6 strategies from Scott Fox, author of Internet Riches, for successful copywriting.
Better Page Titles
Smart usage of your website's page titles can help your page stand out in search engine results. Here are tips for ecommerce merchants.
Smart usage of your website's page titles can help your page stand out in search engine results. Here are tips for ecommerce merchants.
CPA (Cost Per Action)
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay only when users completes a specific desired action. The action is usually a sales transaction or a registration.
Advertising pricing model where advertisers pay only when users completes a specific desired action. The action is usually a sales transaction or a registration.
Sponsored Content
Advertising message integrated into the editorial content or placed in a special context on the webpage. Also known as content integration or Web advertorial.
Advertising message integrated into the editorial content or placed in a special context on the webpage. Also known as content integration or Web advertorial.
Keyword
A word or phrase users type into search engines in order to find relevant information.
A word or phrase users type into search engines in order to find relevant information.
Stickiness
Measurement of how long visitors stay on a website. The most sticky websites usually feature highly compelling content and popular interactive elements.
Measurement of how long visitors stay on a website. The most sticky websites usually feature highly compelling content and popular interactive elements.
Job Board Affiliate
Team up with job board software publishers to show relevant jobs on your website. Earn money when employers post a job and/or when job seekers apply for one.
Team up with job board software publishers to show relevant jobs on your website. Earn money when employers post a job and/or when job seekers apply for one.
DNS
Definition of DNS - The Domain Name System is like the phonebook for the Internet. DNS assigns IP addresses to domain names, so when you type in "about.com" in your browser, you are sent to the proper Web server.
Definition of DNS - The Domain Name System is like the phonebook for the Internet. DNS assigns IP addresses to domain names, so when you type in "about.com" in your browser, you are sent to the proper Web server.
How to Write a Web Design RFP
Things that go into a bulletproof Web design contract
Things that go into a bulletproof Web design contract
RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
The amount of revenue a website generates per thousand page impressions. Also known as revenue per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
The amount of revenue a website generates per thousand page impressions. Also known as revenue per thousand (Mille is Latin for one thousand).
Domain Name
The unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.
The unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.
5 Effective Web Writing Tips
Writing great Web copy means it's easy-to-read and scannable.
Writing great Web copy means it's easy-to-read and scannable.
Top Pay-Per-Post Networks
Top 5 Pay-Per-Post Marketplaces for Selling Sponsored Blog Posts
Top 5 Pay-Per-Post Marketplaces for Selling Sponsored Blog Posts
Affiliate Network
Affiliate networks are brokers between advertisers and individual websites.
Affiliate networks are brokers between advertisers and individual websites.
Anchor Text
Anchor text is the visible words on a clickable link. Anchor text is important to SEO because it is a concise description of the linked webpage.
Anchor text is the visible words on a clickable link. Anchor text is important to SEO because it is a concise description of the linked webpage.
Expandable Banner Ad
A banner ad that expands in size after a user clicks on it or hovers the mouse cursor over the banner.
A banner ad that expands in size after a user clicks on it or hovers the mouse cursor over the banner.
Social Networking
Social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook let people with similar interests interact online.
Social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook let people with similar interests interact online.
Call To Action
Definition of Call To Action (CTA). The portion of ad copy that prompts customers to take a specific action.
Definition of Call To Action (CTA). The portion of ad copy that prompts customers to take a specific action.
AdWords TV, Print, Radio Ads
Google's AdWords is experimenting with selling ad space in traditional media like print (newspapers, magazines), television, and radio.
Google's AdWords is experimenting with selling ad space in traditional media like print (newspapers, magazines), television, and radio.
Choosing a Web Designer
How to choose the best Web designer for your project among a sea of applications.
How to choose the best Web designer for your project among a sea of applications.
Dedicated Server
Dedicated server Web hosting means you are renting an entire physical server for use all by yourself. Dedicated servers generally cost $200 or more.
Dedicated server Web hosting means you are renting an entire physical server for use all by yourself. Dedicated servers generally cost $200 or more.
LinkedIn profile
Profile of social networking for business site LinkedIn.
Profile of social networking for business site LinkedIn.
Monetize
The process of converting a website's traffic into money.
The process of converting a website's traffic into money.
CrossLoop
CrossLoop is a desktop sharing software for computer support, training and collaboration along with a community of over 15,000 computer expert helpers.
CrossLoop is a desktop sharing software for computer support, training and collaboration along with a community of over 15,000 computer expert helpers.
Aggregated Content
Content -- such as articles, videos or images -- gathered from various sources and presented on one website.
Content -- such as articles, videos or images -- gathered from various sources and presented on one website.
6 Benefits of Social News
In addition to the potential to drive 50,000+ page views to your website in a single day, there are several other business benefits to having a social news marketing strategy.
In addition to the potential to drive 50,000+ page views to your website in a single day, there are several other business benefits to having a social news marketing strategy.
Drop Shipping
Retail business model where the Internet merchant does not keep an inventory of goods. The merchant will accept product orders from customers and forward those orders to a distributor or manufacturer, who will ship the product directly to the end customer.
Retail business model where the Internet merchant does not keep an inventory of goods. The merchant will accept product orders from customers and forward those orders to a distributor or manufacturer, who will ship the product directly to the end customer.
Test for Maximum Ad Revenue
Test your ad placement, design and partner programs to maximize revenue.
Test your ad placement, design and partner programs to maximize revenue.
CrossLoop Cofounder Interview
This is an interview with Mrinal Desai, cofounder and VP Sales of CrossLoop.com. CrossLoop is a remote desktop software and freelance marketplace for getting and/or providing PC support.
This is an interview with Mrinal Desai, cofounder and VP Sales of CrossLoop.com. CrossLoop is a remote desktop software and freelance marketplace for getting and/or providing PC support.
Interstitial Ad
An ad page that appears before the user-requested page is displayed. Also known as a splash page or transition ad.
An ad page that appears before the user-requested page is displayed. Also known as a splash page or transition ad.
Landing Page
The advertiser's webpage visitors "land" on after they click on an ad. Usually the landing page will have a call to action prompting the user to sign up for a service or purchase a product.
The advertiser's webpage visitors "land" on after they click on an ad. Usually the landing page will have a call to action prompting the user to sign up for a service or purchase a product.
SEO
Strategies used to improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages for specific keywords and phrases.
Strategies used to improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages for specific keywords and phrases.
Twingr
Profile of Twingr, a private microblogging service, from the perspective of an online business.
Profile of Twingr, a private microblogging service, from the perspective of an online business.
Microblogging
Microblogging refers to the posting of very short blog-like posts.
Microblogging refers to the posting of very short blog-like posts.
Page View
The measurement of how often a webpage is displayed to visitors. Each time a webpage is displayed to a visitor is considered one page view.
The measurement of how often a webpage is displayed to visitors. Each time a webpage is displayed to a visitor is considered one page view.
Above the Fold
The term "Above the Fold" means the part of a webpage that visitors can see on their computer monitor without the need to scroll down.
The term "Above the Fold" means the part of a webpage that visitors can see on their computer monitor without the need to scroll down.
Autoresponder
An "autoresponder" is a tool that automatically sends a pre-written email in response to an incoming email, often used to acknowledge receipt of a message.
An "autoresponder" is a tool that automatically sends a pre-written email in response to an incoming email, often used to acknowledge receipt of a message.
B2B (Business to Business)
Commercial activity conducted between two businesses, as opposed to between a business and an end consumer.
Commercial activity conducted between two businesses, as opposed to between a business and an end consumer.
CRM
Business tools and strategies used by companies to better attract, service, and retain customers.
Business tools and strategies used by companies to better attract, service, and retain customers.
5 Keys to Pay-Per-Post Success
How to Add Sponsored Posts to Your Blog Without Angering Your Readers
How to Add Sponsored Posts to Your Blog Without Angering Your Readers
Back End
Behind-the-scenes technology that powers a technical system such as a website.
Behind-the-scenes technology that powers a technical system such as a website.
HTML
The primary computer language used to create websites on the World Wide Web.
The primary computer language used to create websites on the World Wide Web.
Brochureware
Websites created by publishing a company's traditional print marketing materials online. Like a brochure, such websites contain only basic information about the company and does not offer any interactive features.
Websites created by publishing a company's traditional print marketing materials online. Like a brochure, such websites contain only basic information about the company and does not offer any interactive features.
Present.ly
Microblogging service Present.ly profiled from the perspective of an online business owner.
Microblogging service Present.ly profiled from the perspective of an online business owner.
Animated Ad
A graphical ad with movement, usually generated by an interactive Java applet, flash or an animated GIF file.
A graphical ad with movement, usually generated by an interactive Java applet, flash or an animated GIF file.
Odiogo
Submit an RSS feed of your blog (or anything with an RSS feed), and have the posts automatically converted into podcasts.
Submit an RSS feed of your blog (or anything with an RSS feed), and have the posts automatically converted into podcasts.