An E-book that includes your marketing message and a link to your website is a proven technique in viral marketing. This method uses the multiplication effect to “explode” the distribution of your message by willing participants.

This is the basic principle that was used by Hotmail to get established. When the two founders set up their free email system, all the messages that were sent by subscribers had a text message at the bottom which identified Hotmail as the origin. People who sent emails to their friends advertised the free email site.

Using viral E-books as a marketing method is cheap. It doesn’t take long to set up and it’s even quicker if you use rebrandable E-books that have been written by others. Just use your favorite search engine and do a web search. You will find many rebrandable E-books that are available on whatever subject you are interested in and that apply to your e-business. One method of distributing the E-book is to offer it to visitors in exchange for subscribing to your newsletter. If they pass it on to their friends and family it will promote your business for you.

E-books are capable of reaching a large audience and are limited only by the enthusiasm of the participants.

E-books are fairly easy to create. It’s possible to produce your own E-books by combining articles that you have written or have gotten from public domain sources, such as directories.

A common approach is to use material that has Private Label Rights, including articles and reports that have been written specifically for that purpose, for that niche. Using a portion of a larger work that you have prepared such as the first three chapters of a large E-book could also be used as a viral E-book.

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Higher Conversion Rate = Increase in Web Sales = Higher Profits…

Generating higher online sales involves - Getting targeted traffic to your site and Converting website visitors into actual buyers. Driving traffic to your site can be managed by using numerous web site promotion tools. But after getting a visitor into your online store, your storefront is your only tool to trap and motivate a visitor to purchase your merchandises. In other words, your website is your “only sales executive” on the web.

How can you convert Website Visitors into Actual Buyers?

Following tips can be helpful in promoting your offerings and help you increase your web sales:

1. Comprehensive Product Description:
In the description of a product, highlight its core features and benefits. Assure the users about the quality of the product and show them ‘worth of their money’. Moreover, you can use client testimonials and product reviews by other customers with the product description to certify your claim.

Choose a shopping cart that allows you to add multiple product descriptions (For example - Short & long description). Use the short description to write an attractive marketing message and the long description to elaborate product features and benefits.

2. Cross-Selling:
Use cross selling to sell complimentary products on your online store. Increase online sales by highlighting all complimentary products at high selling product pages.

The scope & flexibility for cross selling your products will depend on the shopping cart software you choose for your ecommerce store.

3. Easy Shopping Experience:
Eliminate time-consuming registration & check out processes on your online store and allow visitors to devote quality time in other shopping options.

Attractively display the ‘Buy’ button along with the product image & description. This will help you increase web sales through impulsive buying and will build an easy buying atmosphere for your visitors.

4. Discount Schemes:
Providing discounts and rebates can be successful tools to increase web sales. Keep on offering a variety of discounts and rebate schemes to keep your customers coming back to your store. Introduce ‘surprise’ discount schemes for few product groups, for pre-defined time periods. Encourage swift buying by specifying the time deadlines for your discounted prices.

5. Special treatment to repeat customers:
Your repeat customers are your acquired customers and prime assets. Recognize their loyalty by gifting them special loyalty discounts. Providing them with special ‘ecoupons’ enhances their shopping experience on your online store.

Encourage your repeat customers to write product reviews on your store. Display these reviews in the concerned product description section to lure your first time visitors.

Higher ‘conversion rate’ reduces your customer acquisition cost and increases your profits. Effective web site & product presentation combined with numerous website promotion tools will help you increase your web sales.

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A customer walks into the store, browses through products and shelves, picks up items, inspects, considers the prices, chooses a product and takes it to the cash register to pay. Now if you want to sell your products online, then your site must be enabled for e-commerce, where you must have the following features:

1. You need to provide plenty of content and product description like sizes, dimensions, colors and comparisons with other similar products. It must allow the customer to choose a product, get a clear pricing and shipping costs on the product, complete the transaction and get an order number, and/or invoice confirmation via email. Allow your customer to choose a shipping method.
2. You must tell the customer if the item is in stock or delivered against order. Ideally, you should have an email contact or live help if the customer has a question. Most importantly you must respond immediately! If you want to provide your own live chat and help desk services on your website, specialized softwares are available for purchase.
3. Be sure your customer service links are large and clearly marked, so your client does not have to dig around to find information.
4. Provide an ‘about us’ section or a section about your policies. If you have privacy statements and customer satisfaction policies, your customer will feel better about shopping in your store.
5. You probably want to have customer quotes and references on the storefront page, as well, to let your prospective client know that others are happy with your service.
6. Provide an FAQ with information about your return-back policies, guarantees, shipping prices and insurance charges if any.
7. If you are so inclined, you can offer a print catalogue if the customer prefers to order one from your storefront and shop in the privacy of their homes.
8. Do not annoy your customers by presenting products that are marked ‘sold’ or pages that say ‘under construction’ or ‘coming soon’.
9. Do add new content frequently, so your returning customers will not be bored by seeing the same products they saw four months ago.
10. If your site has got a date tag or has current references, be careful to change these references frequently so you don’t give the perception that nobody is attending or reading your site.

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Introduction

In a recent article, reporter and web developer Sean Michael Kerner declared “The AJAX World Belongs to Google”. This article refers to the dominance of Ajax in Google’s web applications and how Google’s continued incorporation of Ajax techniques is bringing Ajax to the mainstream.

Ajax is an acronym for “Asynchronous JavaScript and XML”. By collaborating the functions of various pre-existing technologies, Ajax improves user experience of the Web and makes programming more translatable and interoperational. Ajax uses HXTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript, and sever-sided scripts like XML. The collaboration of these technologies makes web pages more responsive, interactive and usable. It is important to understand that Ajax does not refer to a discrete product, but rather a technique for web development using the aforementioned technological components.

Google, on the other hand, is the trademark for the most popular web search engine in the world. By scanning web pages for search input by the user, Goggle presents results sorted according to quality, relevance and traffic. Google’s popularity is produced in part through it’s efficient search algorithm and its extensive networking of low-cost PCs. The PageRank feature in Google sorts web pages by using a huge link structure that determines the value of a web page requested by a user query. This link structure sees how many other pages have been linked to a particular page to determine its importance. Google also takes into consideration web page quality when ranking web pages in a search. All elements of the web page are examined in a Google search to insure that it relates as directly as possible to the query.

This article will discuss the development and benefits of Ajax in Google. It will explain Google’s incorporation of Ajax technology by describing why Ajax techniques work so well for the Google search engine.

Background

A brief history of Goggle and Ajax technology will help put the attraction between the two in a historical and developmental, as well as technological, context.

Google was founded in 1998 by two Stanford University graduate students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. The primary contribution of the Google search engine was, as previously mentioned, PageRank. However, there were several other advantages. Google increases the probability of relevant results because of the sheer volume of its index. Its index contains billions of URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) that provide web page addresses. Google makes sure that search terms appear in the web page it brings up further reducing irrelevant results.

Google also searches the web for previous incarnations of web pages and pulls them up if current versions are unavailable. Google continued global dominance by developing regional versions of Google in 2004. It also included new search options for more effective web searches. For example, Google introduced options for image searches, news searches, and comparison-shopping searches. Some of these more popular features are called Froogle (for comparison-shopping), Google Maps (for directions and maps), Gmail (a web-based e-mail service increasing in popularity), Google Answers (where questions are answered based on a bidding system), and AdWords and Adsense (advertising services for advertisers and web publishers.

Ajax is the collaboration of techniques that increase web page usability. The term was coined in 2005 by Jesse James Garett. It quickly became the buzzword in web page development. It supports several interactions that signal innovations in web use. For example, Ajax can create single page web applications that function similarly to desktop applications. Ajax allows form data to be completed and validated automatically. Ajax allows web pages to update data automatically and load it based on demand without having to refresh or re-load. Ajax allows mashups that means users can mix content from third-party applications with their own to further customize results.

As demonstrated by the previous discussion Ajax technologies dovetail nicely with Goggle demands.

Uses

Google’s interventions rely on improved web development and programming. This is right where Ajax fits in. One of the strengths in using Ajax technologies in Google products are that these technologies already exist and are tested and trusted by web developers. Support is already included in most web browsers and these technologies are widely available. This use of already existing Ajax technologies used by Google keeps Google at the forefront of web development as other companies try to develop new technologies and lag behind as a result. Similarly, these tried and true technologies are powerful enough to support Google user volume.

Points of Interest

However, Google reliance on Ajax threatens other attempts at improving web applications. Other attempts to create powerful and scalable web applications are made irrelevant if, as Google suggests, the technology for accomplishing most goals already exists. For example, reduced demand for other technologies like Macromedia’s Flash and Flex and Sun Microsystems’s Java-based applications will preclude further innovations or render them a waste of time and money.

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PageFlakes.com has some of the most amazing feature that you cannot find in most websites: a widget container. Any HTML code that you have could be easily loaded through the container provided by Pageflakes.com. Although there are already tons of widgets in their website, you can easily create one of your own.

For example, the embed code in YouTube.com could easily be applied in the codes that you have. Codes that could be integrated in MySpace.com such as simple casual games could also be applied in the widget container. As a developer, you can also offer a widget container in your website so that users could upload an application through an embedded code from a different website.

A widget container is placed inside an update panel. The widget container has two basic parts: the body and the header. The header in the widget is the consistent component while the body is the actual container of the application.

The header serves as the update panel controller with server while the body serves as the ground where the application will be implemented.

To build an efficient container, the three components that you need to consider is the header, updatepanel and the body. Others follow through the coding of the widget.

Unfortunately, an Ajax based widget is not a perfect code as it is. When you consider the header, updatepanel and body alone, the first problem you will experience is the extender. These are the HTML elements found inside the code that determines the physical size of the application uploaded in the container.

The updatepanel refreshes the header and the body but it removes the HTML documents in the body. What then happens is the application is resized and could not fit in the widget container. A trick has to be done so that the extender will be retained to keep the size and behavior of the application.

As we have previously mentioned there is only one updatepanel that controls the header and the body. It is essential for the updatepanel to refresh the header since it wants to connect to the server. On the other hand, the body does not want to connect to the server but instead to the remote host of the application.

When an updatepanel is applied without the host knowing about it, the application will lag. Not to mention the removal of the HTML every time the updatepanel is used on the body of the widget container.

The only solution to this problem is to create another updatepanel for the body. This updatepanel specifically used for the body does not connect to the server so it does not have to go with the header for refreshing the information. The other updatepanel in the body is used to communicate with the separate host.

Using two updatepanels in every widget is a very simple but a smart solution when you are trying to offer an empty box for a widget application. Although it gives the developers additional work for coding, the widget will actually work to everyone’s advantage.

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If you’re installing Vista on a machine and you need to open a command prompt during setup, just press Shift+F10. This is useful if you need to do advanced disk management tasks while installing, for example to revert a dynamic partition to basic.

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MySpace is an incredible online community which gives members the opportunity to make new friends, reconnect with long lost friends, network or even meet potential romantic partners. While there are many great social aspects to using MySpace it is also important to not there is the potential for predators to be lurking on MySpace. These predators may either be nonmembers who simply comb member profiles in search of useful information or they may be members who create profiles which mask their true identity and foster online friendship for devious purposes. In general the harm which can come from using MySpace could be either physical or financial. This article will discuss how MySpace members can avoid physical or financial harm by keeping their personal information personal.

Avoiding Physical Harm

Those who agree to meet online friends in person put themselves at risk for physical harm. Although in many cases agreeing to meet an online friend in person will not lead to any problems there is always the potential for your online friend to really be a harmful predator. Not agreeing to offline meetings is the most obvious way to avoid this type of danger. However, there are other precautions MySpace members can take to avoid the possibility encountering their online friends in person.

Not posting information which can be used to track you down can help to minimize the risk of physical harm which results from interactions with MySpace members. The most obvious information which can be used for this purpose is a full name and an address. Additionally, a telephone number can be used to find out your address. These are not the only ways predators can find you. For example if you have pictures of yourself posted on your MySpace website and post a blog entry about your plans to visit Disney Land on a particular weekend, Internet stalkers can use this information to find and abduct you.

Posting about weekend plans may seem harmless but those who know where you will be and what you look like can find you even in a crowded location. Also, if you post a blog entry mentioning you will be out of town and also include your full name and the city you live in, savvy predators can use this information to determine your address and burglarize your home while you enjoy your vacation. Those who use MySpace and do not make their website private should be aware that any information they post can be viewed by others who may have malicious intentions. Keeping this in mind helps members to realize they should be cautious about the type of information they divulge on MySpace.

Avoiding Financial Harm

The information on a MySpace website can also be used, by Internet predators, to commit identity theft or other types of financial fraud. When using MySpace care should be taken to avoid giving out sensitive information such as full name, address, social security number, credit card numbers and bank account numbers. This type of information can be used to commit identity theft and the results of identity theft can be financial ruin including bankruptcy and damaged credit. Also, the result of identity theft can be difficult to reverse. Even if the predator is caught in his actions, it may be many years before the victim recovers financially.

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With the end of the Soviet Union, KGB archives became of public domain, but not all of them. Many of them are still classified TOP SECRET.

This is a bunch of photos from UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) collection KGB had on the “good ol’ days” declassified lately. Some are taken from the (ex)Soviet Union Military, some others were “collected” through their “intelligence network” around the globe.

Whole world is debating the origin and the authenticity of those photos.

And you, What do you think?

—–

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Reach customers with personalization for increased responses

Online retailers and ecommerce executives have used countless tactics to increase sales through e-mail marketing campaigns. As an alternative to direct mail and other offline methods, e-mail is a simple and efficient way to reach prospects and deliver a core message. Still, the ever-expanding communications system on the web has materialized into offensive spam and overwhelming advertisements as well. When customers stop opening e-mails in fear of being targeted with spam, or even viruses, any campaign can quickly lose its value. Over time, this can also lead to the click of the unsubscribe button where the business loses contact of their prospect completely.

A New Approach

Persuasive e-mail marketing offers a new approach. Instead of sending out mass e-mails that can potentially upset potential buyers and site visitors, the art of delivering a centralized message becomes paramount. Persuasive e-mail marketing can help to increase response rates in multiple ways; the effort can encourage opening and clicking through to various parts of your site or product showcase and develop customer loyalty in the process.

E-mail Lists Are Key

Creating and growing a valuable e-mail list is an important part of this process. You can spend thousands of dollars collecting names and creating a database that has little impact; if you are not taking the steps to segment your customer list and organize it in a way to target specific groups, your efforts for sending out that e-mail blast may be fruitless. It’s important to remember that a targeted group, or niche audience, is much more likely to respond and appreciate your contact. When you tailor your message to focus on their specific needs, you are personalizing the message. This will reach them faster and with impact; over time, this can lead to customer loyalty and help build credibility for your company, brand, or products as well.

When you are staging an e-mail marketing campaign that is event-driven, it is essential that the list is compiled effectively well in advance, and uses a trickling effect to deliver the message. This may involve a set of auto responders, or simply a series of consistent messages with the brand, logo, and underlying message pulled together in perfect balance. Staging an e-mail marketing campaign can help create ‘buzz’ for your idea, and sending this out to the right customer segment will further help generate interest.

Be Persuasive

Keeping the e-mail list growing may be as simple as offering a newsletter sign-up form immediately on the site visit, or including an area of each e-mail where the recipient can ‘forward to a friend.’ By increasing circulation and viewership of each of your communications pieces, you can begin to grow a strong customer base with very little effort. The power of community-building and developing a network is an essential part of your marketing campaign, and is even more important during the launch stages. These are almost automatic buzz generators and can help send out your message in more ways than a traditional method. Not only does this prevent alienation of specific groups, but you will have a larger set of customers waiting for news on a regular basis.

Track Your Results

Finally, be sure to integrate a comprehensives web site analytics program to best judge the effectiveness of each campaign. These statistics will help you see when and how your prospects are responding, and where the results are leading them. Are they going directly to the website? Are they clicking on specific product links? The only way you will be able to track this is by reviewing your analysis program week after week.

Be Persuasive!

E-mail marketing has evolved from a simple newsletter message to staged events and creative advertising. Online retailers can take advantage of many opportunities to reach prospects and customers with a carefully planned strategy; developing and retaining online customers involves personalization and understanding the customer’s core needs. While many people have become apprehensive over the value of e-mail as a way to reach prospects, persuasive e-mail marketing can be used effectively to build credibility for the company and increase response rates in the process.

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One of Ajax’s most important code functions is the XMLHttpRequest. Without this code, it’s almost impossible for an Ajax based program to run smoothly. Although we can find alternate coding for XMLHttpRequest, this code alone could save us hours of coding when we do it the other way. XMLHttpRequest could command JavaScript to POST, GET and other important HTTP commands especially when the program is being built as an online, browser-based application.

On the other hand, XMLHttpRequest is one of the biggest reasons why Ajax is very vulnerable to hackers. XMLHttpRequest could be used to fetch information from other websites. Not only can the programmer do this, but when the web application needs user content, everyone can practically command XMLHttpRequest to fetch information from other websites. Hackers can pinpoint the Ajax based website to a malicious site that can hack their information. Another problem when using XMLHttpRequest to access other sites is that it opens itself to other sites. In order for the XMLHttpRequest to access other sites, it too, must be open to access other websites. It’s practically an opened gate for hackers to enter.

That’s why developers have developed a firewall around XMLHttpRequest so that it will not access websites other than the server. But that will greatly limit the XMLHttpRequest’s function in the first place. Developers have to think of a way to outsmart the XMLHttpRequest while maintaining the program.

There is actually one solution to this problem: create proxies for XMLHttpRequest. That way, XMLHttpRequest will have the same firewall settings because the code will think that it came from the same server. Although there’s only one solution, there are three ways of doing it:

1. Application Proxies: this program is not written so that it can be used by other applications. You have to develop a program that will be launched right inside the server. Whenever the Ajax based application runs the XMLHttpRequest, the application will generate a proxy so that it will cover up the actual IP address of the website. This is a very simple application but when you’re dealing with a lot of programs at the same time, it’s better to build an application proxy for each application to ensure faster processing.

2. Apache Proxy: Instead of building an application, you can go directly to the server and make some changes Apache server configuration. You should be able to fool XMLHttpRequest by rerouting XMLHttpRequest invisibly. You should be able to reroute XMLHttpRequest to another web server domain easily. The files that you should access and change are httpd.conf and mod_proxy. The bad side about this is that it’s very dangerous to change this especially when you’re using shared hosting services.

3. Hacking the Script Tag with Application Proxy: the first version of requires the developer to build a program inside the server. On this case, we develop another application proxy but instead of developing the program in the server, you could also build a program to automatically reconfigure the Script Tag so that it will not detect a different IP address.

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