Continued from page 1
Option One
First, access your website server either directly or via an FTP program. Under
'root' or 'main' folder of your website, create a directory with simplified name you intend to promote. In example above, you would create a directory called, 'promotion'.
Second, using an HTML editor or basic text editor such as 'Notepad', create an HTML file with following code:
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=http://www.somesite.com/page.asp?itemid=567">
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
Replace URL in code above with URL of page you want to 'point' to. Save this page as index.html, being careful not to overwrite existing files you may have with that same name.
Next, transfer this file to directory you created in first step and you're done. Be sure to test new URL and make sure that it transfers you to desired URL. After you verify this works you may begin using simplified URL in your promotional materials. Be sure to monitor traffic to this eMarketing-Friendly URL with a website traffic analysis tool, as you will want to know if your campaign is making or losing money.
Option Two
If you are a non-technical marketer or simply do not have time or access to website server, then you may want to consider an eMarketing-Friendly URL application. An eMarketing-Friendly URL application will allow you ability to do following:
1. Designate your eMarketing-Friendly URL 2. Designate desired URL 3. Decide whether or not you want eMarketing-Friendly URL to remain in address bar of browser or simply 'bounce' to new location. 4. Create as many eMarketing-Friendly URL's as you would like without involving a technical resource.
Some of benefits of an eMarketing-Friendly URL application are:
1. Save time by doing it yourself. Eliminate time it takes to initiate request to your technical resource and wait for them to complete request. 2. Save time by making adjustments yourself. If you need a change to an existing eMarketing-Friendly URL you can, again, eliminate time it takes for you technical resource to receive and accomplish task. 3. An eMarketing-Friendly URL application will not actually create directories on your website server. Instead application will bring-in information from your desired page. You will keep your technical resource happy by not 'cluttering' website with a bunch of miscellaneous directories. 4. Respond to marketing 'emergencies' at any hour of day. Create an eMarketing-Friendly URL at any hour of day and use it immediately in emergency print-runs, etc.
Frank Cowell is a Certified eMarketer (as certified by the International eMarketing Association) and President of Cowell eMarketing. Cowell eMarketing provides website and eCommerce solutions, eMail Marketing services and Search Engine Marketing services.
