Web Site Management: Guestbooks

Written by Richard Lowe


Continued from page 1

- The best scripts also send an email torepparttar webmaster so he knows someone signed.

- A guestbook absolutely must be moderated. Any guestbook which does not allow for moderation must be discarded.

- The better scripts will filter out curse words.

When you design your site, you should include an easily found link torepparttar 134649 guestbook on every single page. Believe me, if your visitors want to say something good about your site you should make it easy for them to do so. The link can be anywhere ... just be sure to place it inrepparttar 134650 same location on every page.

Once a guestbook has been selected and installed, it must be maintained. This is whererepparttar 134651 game gets a little interesting. Here's what happens.

1) Someone visits your site, likes what he sees and navigates to your guestbook. He writes a comment and submits his entry.

2) Your guestbook script should send him an acknowledgement (assuming he included his email address). The acknowledgement must not be a blatant advertisement for your affiliate programs or products. It's purpose is to thank your visitors for their comments and to remind them to return to your site. You can also let them know of other features of your site that they may find of interest.

3) NEVER send more than one email to your visitor from a guestbook signing. One email is polite. More than one email is spam. The only exception to this is whenrepparttar 134652 visitor specifically asks you a question or asks for your response.

4) NEVER add your visitor's email to your mailing list because he signed your guestbook. This is spam.

5) Your script should also send you an email so that you know someone has signed. Readrepparttar 134653 message and determine if it is appropriate for your site. If so, addrepparttar 134654 message. If not, delete it.

You should moderate your guestbook, as you want to be sure that only comments that are appropriate end up being made public. This is a very critical part of guestbook maintenance. Guestbooks are intended to positively reinforce your work - not tear it down. You can feel free to delete any and all negative messages.

Another type of message that I usually delete immediately isrepparttar 134655 pure advertisement. Guestbooks can provide links back to sites, but that is not their primary purpose. Leave advertisements to classified and free-for-all link pages.

I would be very cautious about making any changes to anything in a guestbook. This is a place for visitors to post comments (generally positive ones) about your site and it's contents ... it is not your editorial page.

Properly used, a guestbook is a useful and easy way to enhance your site and make it more friendly to your visitors. These scripts give your visitors a way to publicly post positive comments about your works forrepparttar 134656 world to see. That in itself can be very useful and helpful.



Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This website includes over 1,000 free articles to improve your internet profits, enjoyment and knowledge. Web Site Address: http://www.internet-tips.net Weekly newsletter: http://www.internet-tips.net/joinlist.htm Daily Tips: mailto:internet-tips@GetResponse.com


Writing the Income-Generating Web Site

Written by Scott T. Smith


Continued from page 1

2. Proposition

A proposition is prospect-centered. It is all about them. Either it states their current situation, and 'ain't it awful', or it reveals a dream they have about what their life could become: 'If only...'

Go back torepparttar roots ofrepparttar 134648 product or service you are offering. Why does it exist in today's world, and what good does it do for people? Ask yourself why you are involved with it. Be idealistic. The proposition section of your home page sets up a kind of vacuum, which you are about to fill with...

3. Benefits

A benefit is anything that will make your customer's life better by using your product or service. This isrepparttar 134649 payoff, andrepparttar 134650 crucial section of your home page where you must deliverrepparttar 134651 goods. Take a good look at what you are promoting, and then...

Write down each and every benefit you can, with no thought about which isrepparttar 134652 most important. You'll order them later. Write down everything that can possibly do your customer some good. Everything.

After finishing this 'brain dump', go back and prioritize. Don't prioritize as you go, because that will inhibit you. List first, order second. When writing your home page, companion pages, and sales letter, begin with benefit one, then two, three and so on down torepparttar 134653 least significant.

&...

The MUST-HAVE Button: Your Benefit-Rich Sales Letter

The one button you absolutely must link to from your home page is your benefit-rich sales letter.

A good home page is already a clear call to action. But it also can't go on for too long or you will put visitors off. The analogy of your home page as an interesting magazine index is a good one. You should offer enough provocative information that any visitor absolutely must go deeper into your site. They just can't hold themselves back.

Remember, it isrepparttar 134654 benefit-rich sales letter that always closesrepparttar 134655 sale.

Scott T. Smith of Copywriting.Net. Generate MORE sales with your Web site copy. For a free consultation visit http://www.copywriting.net or call 1.800.798.4471 (toll-free in the US).


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