Saturday, 25 May 2013

Basic SEO Tips for a Newly Launched Blog - Beginners Guide

SEO tips for beginners
Blogging is more than just about creating an online space for yourself and putting up content there. You have to be the best in order to compete with the best. But even becomes less important when it comes to optimizing your blog for search engines. After all, you want yourgreat content to reach your potential readers, right? Otherwise, what's the point? This is the part where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. In this post, we'll take our beginner readers through the basic SEO process - things they should implement on their own blogs.

Google Webmaster tools

Google Webmaster Tools is your friend! Whether you like Google or not, you will have to sign up for Google Webmaster Tools (GWT). GWT is basically a dashboard where you can not only get yourself verified as an official owner of your site, but also get access to a lot of tools, features, and reports. With GWT, you can change how Google sees your website, and even receive messages from Google regarding updates, and errors found on your website.

With GWT, you can;

  • View Crawl Errors, Crawl Stats, Blocked URLs Index
  • Fetch as Google - Pretty handy for fetching data for your website and submitting it to index to ensure that it's indexed more quickly.
  • View search queries, and internal/external links
  • Submitting sitemap (discussed below)
  • ...and so much more.

Submitting Sitemap

The first thing to do after making a proper website or blog is to create a sitemap, and submit it to Google. A sitemap is basically a listing of the contents of your blog, sort of like a table of contents. It needs to be submitted to search engines so they know what content to find on your blog. We recommend that you put up some content first before creating and submitting a sitemap. A round 10 posts on your blog should be enough to get you started.

When you submit a sitemap, search engines use the data on that sitemap to locate your site and your data, and index it. You might have noticed that your site didn't appear on Google after you created it. Well, to get it into search results, Google first needs to index it. And to make Google index it soon, you submit a sitemap.

To submit a sitemap, you first need a sitemap generator. For Blogger blogs, you can use the tool on the following link.


If you're using WordPress, then you just need a plugin called "Google XML Sitemaps". Either way, it's a simple process and only takes a few simple instructions.

Keep monitoring your rank and statistics

Now that you're a blogger and have started generating good content, it's time you should start monitoring your success. Keep track of your PageRank, which comes out every three months. The last one came in February this year. You should also keep a check on yourAlexa Toolbar ranking. For monitoring your website statistics, you should use Google Analytics.

Basic SEO Tips

We have shared many SEO tips with our readers before. Here is a round-up of some of the posts we've written. Check them out!


You might also like reading a couple SEO guides that come directly from Google


These basics tips and guides should get anyone started good with optimizing their website. If you still have questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section. And please, try to stay on-topic here. Thank you :)
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HostGator's Biggest May Discount - 30% OFF!


HostGator is at it again! It is giving awayspecial discounts to our readers once more, which is one of the many reasons why we stick to HostGator. It gives away such discount coupons on every special occasion, in this case, the onset of spring. This time, the coupon given to us will give our readers an amazing 30% OFF on all hosting plans including reseller and dedicated hosting. In other words, you can get as as much as a $53.46 discount on the simplest plan, and as much as $139.86discount on a business plan! This discount applies if you buy a domain from HostGator. But even if you don't, you will still get a20% discount! Remember, this offer expires on 15th May 2013, so you still have around two weeks to avail this benefit!
In case you're a newbie, and are wondering what we're talking about, please read ourlatest blogging series for more information. Also, check out the following post, which arecommended reading!

What are the hosting plans?

HostGator offers three basic hosting plans; Hatchling, Baby, and Business.

Hatchling Plan

This is the most basic hosting plan. Its rates start at $3.96 per month, and offers the following features.

  • UNLIMITED storage space
  • UNLIMITED bandwidth
  • SINGLE domain
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Shared SSL Certificate

This plan applies to most bloggers who want to set up just one domain. However, if you're thinking of setting up multiple domains in the future, then consider the Baby plan.

Baby Plan

  • UNLIMITED storage space
  • UNLIMITED bandwidth
  • UNLIMITED domains
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Shared SSL Certificate

This plan is for hosting multiple domains. We are currently using this to host our multiple websites. It starts at $6.36 per month.

Business Plan

  • UNLIMITED storage space
  • UNLIMITED bandwidth
  • UNLIMITED domains
  • 24/7 customer support
  • FREE dedicated SSL Certificate
  • FREE Toll free Number

This plan is for businesses and corporate website. It starts from $10.36 per month.

Why HostGator?

One particular reason why we chose HostGator was the excellent 24/7 customer support. The HostGator assisting staff is forever on the standby, ready to help you if need be. You can even connect to a representative via live chat at any time, and you will be chatting with them within a minute or two! You can ask them any appropriate question, and you can be sure to get an appropriate answer!

Most other web hosts put a limit to the amount of space you get, or the bandwidth. Not HostGator though. You will get unlimited resources, even for the most basic hosting plan. In addition, you get free unlimited sub-domains, unlimited email addresses, and so on.

With HostGator, you can build a lot of powerful applications on your website. You can install a custom CMS, your own forum, online shopping store, eCommerce software, Chat, Wiki, Survey, Billing software, and so on!

Got questions?

Got any more questions you need to ask? Please feel free to ask in our comments section below. You could also connect to HostGator representatives via live chat.  Good luck :)
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10 Underestimated Ways of Making Money Online


underestimated ways to make moneyMaking money online and earning your livings via your laptop is becoming one of the most popular earning methods. Statistics have shown that there has been a significant increase in the number of people who are cashing their talent by utilizing the online platform, which for sure is a good replacement of any other real world job.

It is interesting to find that when you question people about all the possible online earning strategies available, all you come across is either blogging or freelancing. There are no doubts about the significance of the two; yet, it is to be remembered now that with the spreading awareness among the potential entrepreneurs, the two stated fields are becoming saturated and complicated. If you look forward to build your blog, you need reasons; pretty good to attract yourpotential readers, as it is, there are more than a billion sites that are running on the same niche as yours. Similarly, now that freelancing is turning into a giant monster, every next person is known as a freelancer which in turn has created a tough competitive freelance market.
If you have tried your luck as a blogger or a freelancer and failed to attain effective results, all you need to do is to check out the huge list of alternates. Although there are trillions of ways to make money online, here are 10 underestimated ways to earn online.

1) Cash your Talent at Fiverr

No matter how magical your words are, no matter how dedicated you are towards your online business, your start-up earning a day is no more than $2-3 a day as an average. How about bidding your talent for $5 all in all? If the idea sounds decent enough, here comes Fiverr.com at your rescue.

images (22)
Fiverr is a site that allows you to offer your services (whether be of any type) for $5. The members can sell their gigs to people and can buy the services for the same price too.

According to a research that I did few months back, there are all possibilities that a member can earn more than $200 a month through Fiverr. The site deducts $1 as the service charges and the seller gets his $4 through PayPal easily.

Therefore if you are an interesting person and have got a command on something special, creative and worth showing-off, register yourself for free at Fiverr, and enjoy some extra income as a start-up.

2) Use SEOclecks and make money

If you are looking for better SEO services other than Fiverr and searching for affordable SEO services with quality, then do not hesitate to check this out! SEOclerks is an amazing micro job website, you may find many micro job offering sites but what stands it different from others is that, here you can buy affordable SEO services provided by SEO professionals and could also sell your own services on your terms and price. Here people are offering mass amount of services ranging from Article Translating to Webhosting or you could offer selling anything you want!

seoclerks

Getting paid or ordering is as easy as logging into the account. Simple money transactions can be made via PayPal or Payza. In case you don’t have any of them, just provide your profile e-mail for payments to receive.

3) Turn your Photography into an e-business!

It was recently that I came across a catchy line on a social media and that was “You are not a photographer, you just have got a good Camera”! That’s so true. These days, thanks to digitalization, all of us have got the potential to turn into a photographer and make money by selling high definition pictures online. All it needs is a little homework and time to get a hold of the skill.
Digital DSLR Camera with money

There are many sites that exclusively works on the same principle where either few of them sell random pictures from you or place an order to get perfect clicks for them.
Few sites are:
1)Photo Merchant
2)SmugMug
3)Zenfolio
5)ifp3
6)DigiLabs
7)Instaproofs
8)PhotoReflect

4)Hubpages.com

Being a writer myself, I have an additional vote for hubpages.com. If you think you are capable of playing with words and know how to put your thoughts down on paper, article writing is surely one of the decent ways to get recognition for your work and money equivalent altogether. Like many other sites like Squidoo.com and ezinearticles, hubpages.com shares the revenue with its member on the basis of readership been generated by their articles.
hubpages
There are, however, few guidelines which, in case of failure can reject your articles leading to the waste of good amount of time.

5) Make money by uploading Files

How about earning money for uploading files and getting some dollars according to the number of downloads your uploaded files make? The idea itself sounds great, isn’t it? There are people who do not have technical skills or even the power of writings so this one is surely one of the best remedies for them. There are many sites that offer reasonable packages to their members, here are a few:

1)Docstoc.com
Payment on uploading: 50/50 revenue generated
2)Deposifiles.com
Payment on uploading: $25 per1000 downloads
3)Uploading.com
Payment on uploading: $1-100 for every 1000 downloads
4)Crocko.com
Payment on uploading: $1 per 500 downloads
5)Shareapic.com
Payment on uploading: $0.22 for every 1000 picture views
What you need to consider here is the choice you make to upload the file. Think about uploading a video of your backyard and a solution manual of a physics book. Ask yourself that will people be interested in downloading your file? If yes, then figure out that why would they do so. A right choice can bring you good dollars while a lame one can actually eat your time without giving back any favors to you.

6)Earn with your iPhone!

It would be difficult to cover all aspects that an online earning medium covers. You can even make money with your iPhone and make a better use of it in spite of using it for casual activities. There are companies that are associated with the development of iPhone applications and need people to test their applications and provide them reviews. These companies offer an online support and no matter wherever you are situated, you can avail this opportunity and make considerable amount of money.
money with iphone
Few sites are:
Potential Earnings/Task: Approx $10
2) Gigwalk
Potential Earnings/Task: $5- $90
3). EasyShift
Potential Earnings/Task: $3- $20
Adding some extra dollars in your pocket is wise, especially when you enjoy using your iPhone.

7)Enjoy Profit with Forex Trading

Forex is a Currency market where currency trading takes place, facilitating the exchange of currencies (similar to the currency exchangers where you buy or sell the currencies). These days when the online transactions have become the basic necessity of every singlebusiness, no matter, big or small, Forex provides a good way to make money utilizing the opportunity that is open for all equally, if they know a little about Forex and Forex Trading Principles.
forex-trading
Once done with signup, step 1 is done, now you are required to add money to your Forex account that you have planned to start trading with. If you have a PayPal Account, well enough, if not, good news is, you can transfer your amount with wire transfer and many other online money transfer options.
This is important to mention here that although the profits are great in forex trading; even the loss is unbearable at times. It is better to invest your “Extra Money” here only.

8) Facebook fan pages

People take Facebook as a Social Networking site only, however, it can turn into a business with profits that are beyond your imaginations. Simple Question that might be clicking all of you is-how? Isn’t it? With Facebook Fan Pages, you can make as much as you want, if you are innovative enough to target a huge audience.
make money on facebook

Social media is enjoying huge audience and getting started with a controversial/worth-following/happening fan page is a good option. What actually happens is, according to the reach and reputation of your fanpage, there are advisors who approach you for advertising their products/services on your page. All in all, it’s a great way to make money.

9) Make money By Online translation!

When you have nothing to cash, you at least have a language to use. Online medium covers this talent as well. There are sites that need online translators to make their products and services available in all languages.
Few sites are:
4. Proz
5. Trally
You can earn up to $200 a month depending on the package you chose for yourself.

10) Use triod.com

Triond is a different publishing platform, where anyone can sign up and start submitting content. You aren’t limited to just articles here; in fact, you can submit videosimagesand what not. It is true that initially the site doesn’t brings huge rewards, but there is something to motivate the beginners.

Therefore, if you are looking forward to start your career online, you must judge you capabilities first and choose a right option for yourself. That brings us to the end of the topic for now, Share your views about the above stated ways and let us know your experiences related to them.
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Making Money with your New Blog - Monetizing Basics

Most bloggers will start off their venture in the hopes of earning bigfrom their blogs. And not without reason either. Multitudes of people are earning a decent sum online. You can too. Earning money from your blog while sitting at home is like a dream for most, and yet, is a reality for many as well. It isn't difficult, it just needs some dedication, and the right guidance. In this post, well talk aboutmonetizing your blog to make money online.

Google AdSense

Google AdSense is perhaps the most widely known advertising network, so much so that a lot of people, especially new bloggers don't know of any others except Google AdSense. So quite naturally, it'll be the first thing they apply to. Agreeably, Google AdSense is a good starter for beginners, and every blogger should try it at one point or another. However, for earning real hard cash, you'll need to look into some other networks.

Google AdSense is mostly a CPC network. CPC stands for Cost Per Click, and means that you get a certain amount for every click you get on your ads. You can also employ CPM (Cost Per Impression) as an AdSense publisher. CPM gives you a certain amount on the completion of a set Impressions target (for example $0.1 for every 1000 Impressions or views on your ads).

Here are some articles that will help you get the most out of your Google AdSense ads.

BuySellAds

Google AdSense is good in as far as 'getting-the-wheel-turning' is concerned. But these days, almost every other website is getting approved by Google AdSense, which has driven the ad-space and  competition up, and the cost down. That's why you get so little revenue per click.

This is where BuySellAds comes in. BSA does not operate like Google AdSense. Instead, they are Direct Ads. There's a marketplace where you get listed once you pass the BSA criterion of having over 60,000 unique pageviews per month. Advertisers can then pick you from the list, and choose you for hosting their ads based on your niche. This is one of the reasons why you should have a clearly defined niche, because it'll then be easier for sponsors for your niche to find your blog and advertise with it. Once you get picked, you get paid for putting up an ad for a certain period of time. Simple, yet effective. BSA is one of the biggest source of income for many intermediate to professional bloggers out there.

Read these articles to get a better idea about BuySellAds

Affiliate Ads

Affiliate Ads are yet another form of advertising, and they are based on compensations/commissions. The idea is, you promote a product or a service, get people to actually buy it, and then you get a certain sum as a reward for 'referring' that buyer.

This concept is pretty widely used now. Companies need to grow, and for that, they need customers. They'll do anything to get customers, which is why most online products and services, and even some offline companies too offer rewards for referrals. If you do it right, affiliate marketing can become your single largest source of income.

We here at MBT often share discount coupons from HostGator with our readers. HostGator in this case is acting as the host company, and will reward anyone who can bring in customers for it. If you visit their homepage, you will see how you can even earn $2000+ in one month just from referrals!

Here are some posts that ought to help you out with Affiliate Marketing
Got questions? Please feel free to ask in the comments section below. And please, try to keep it relevant. Thank you :)
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Success Secrets of Pete Cashmore who started blogging at age 19

mashable and pete cashmoreFor any field that you might pick for yourself, has its own benchmarks of perfection and if you talk about blogging,Mashable is a winner here. No matter which niche you choose for your blog, there is no doubt that the best place to grab your hands on the latest news related to the online world and social media network is mashable. We have been advising our newbie readers to keep their eyes on sites like mashable as following sites with a respectable alexaand picking latest happenings from there is something that always brings you not only a boost in readership, but also a quick revenue.

What I now believe after reading many success stories is that entrepreneurs are born that way actually, and a good example here is of Pete Cashmore, the mashable-man!

Mashable-The Inside!

Covering every minute aspect related to social media, technology, news and what not, Mashable is the largest independent online news site. The site that was launched back in 2005 is now enjoying a respectable alexa rank of 361, with more than 20 million unique visitors a month and 6 million social media followers. What makes this site unique is its reliability and quickness when it comes to cracking the latest news. Mashable is now headquartered in New York City and also has an office in San Francisco.

Secret#1 : Pete Cashmore and his childhood!

Pete-Cashmore
There is one thing very special about the fortunate people; they experience something misfortunate and that very incident becomes a turning point of life. What made Pete Cashmore what he is now, was his surgery of vermiform appendix at the age of 13. Although the surgery was a complete success, the recovery was even harder and due to his illness, Pete had to skip his school for complete rest. While being at home, he started peeping in to many blogs and started learning from what was shared on those sites.

Secret#2: Pete never told parents until his first success!

Been locked in a room, all busy with your machine and doing something attentively makes parents suspicious, and that’s true, isn't it? However, Pete was a lucky one here; probably some credit goes to his illness too that his parents never questioned him about what he was up to all day long. All that they predicted was that Pete was busy in something and wanted to make some money online.

Secret#3: Mashable born at the age of 19!

In 2005, after learning all that was needed, Pete founded mashable that primarily focused on social media and technology initially. He was only 19 at that time and was living in Scotland with his parents.

Secret#4: Pete hasn't slept at nights since a long time!

After getting a considerable response from his home country, Pete realized that targeting Britain only would not work and for that he planned a different strategy. As much of the work was done in America, he decided to reschedule his life to be available on those hours that could bring better results by targeting audience from America as well. If you are a pro-blogger, you must have understood his logic behind doing so, time really matters!
pete cashmore

He started writing and posting at night and used to sleep few hours in the morning. Most of us, whether it be students or bloggers know how bad it really is to be up all night and compensate the loss in daytime.

Pete, in an interview shared:
'Cause I quickly realized, Well, Britain's not gonna be a big enough market, and most of the stuff is happening in America anyway. So, I need to be on those hours. So, maybe I'd go to bed at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, maybe I'd be up by mid-day and writing again, and every time that just burned me down. What I would do at weekends, I would... Friday night I would say, okay, there is no news that's gonna happen, I would just sleep all of Saturday, I'd wake up on Sunday morning. And hopefully, I had recovered enough that I could start blogging again, 'cause the news cycle doesn't stop, and I went on for a long time. That was probably 18 months or so, when it was just me up at bizarre hours. Sleeping in the morning, not getting any sunlight, and it really drains you.’

Secret#5: Success in 18 months!

It was amusing for him also to figure out mashable’s popularity and the fact that there were about two million people reading mashable content a month by the end of 18 months.

Secret#6: “Have I beaten Yesterday?”

pete-cashmore-founder-mashable
Every successful man has got his own rules to follow and Pete has this question to answer daily. He revealed once that what matters to him is the fact that whether his today is better than his yesterday or not! If yes, it’s a satisfaction!

Secret#7: Mashable-a team of more than 50 people!

mashable
When your work gets recognition, you need to produce even better. Being all alone in a business might help you in keeping all the revenue with yourself, the revenue been generated, however, is pretty less. Pete has now more than 50 people working for him and enjoying a reasonable share in the returns.

So, that’s all for now, but there is one thing for sure, Pete is one of those lucky people on earth who find their talent at initial stages of life and learn how to cash it.

More power to him,
Wishes
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