__________________________________________ 互户互户互户互互户互)  Merle's Mission Ezine- "The Best of the Net Straight to your Door" Jan 16th,2003 Issue #104 ISSN: #1527-3105 Edited & Published by: Merle- Merle@MerlesWorld.com http://www.MerlesWorld.com/ Tell A Friend: http://recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=3463949 __________________________________________ 互户互户互户互互户互)  NOTE: This newsletter is by subscription only. The only way it could have ended up in your inbox was by your subscribing to it. If you no longer wish to receive it please see the link at the very bottom of this ezine. ****************************************** Donations Wanted: If you enjoy this ezine and feel you have gained valuable information from it, please make a donation through Amazon's Donation Service. Your small gifts will help support the website and this newsletter (and bones for "the boys"). http://tinyurl.com/21se ______________________________________________ Sponsor ______________________________________________ TIRED OF PAYING TOO MUCH TAX TO THE IRS? New eBook reveals 29 little-known legal loopholes that will reduce your taxes by thousands for self-employed people and small business owners only!) If you are serious about paying less tax . . . CLICK HERE => http://tinyurl.com/3ywe __________________________________________ 互户互户互户互互户互)  One-Liners... "Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?" - George Carlin Compliments of http://www.Coolsigs.com ----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>> E D I T O R' S N O T E ----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>> Hi Kids, Grab your favorite beverage and settle into your favorite easy chair it's time for your favorite ezine "Merle's Mission". What? I'm not your fav. Well, I promise you after a few issues you'll be singing a different tune. I spend a lot of time finding the very best resources the Net has to offer and sharing them with you.....after all you're one of my bestest Internet friends. Who else would I tell? Tomorrow my father in law is getting remarried. He's not really my father in law as I'm not married to his son but I've been living with the man for the last 11 years. I know it's sinful. I give "living in sin" a whole new name. Anyway, his father's wife died a little over 2 years ago after a bad bout with cancer and a marriage that lasted 45 years. It was a terrible loss as his Mother was a rare breed, sort of like an angel on earth. She did a lot of charity work and helped so many people you wouldn't of believed the line at the funeral home for two nights in a row. To make a long story short, none of us are thrilled about this second marriage and to add insult to injury he's having a huge wedding, making all of his kids and her kid's wear tuxes and their having a reception with 200 guests. Now these people aren't kids, their both in their late 60's? Anyone else see anything wrong with this picture? We've tried talking to Dad about this but he's not listening. He claims he doesn't want to be alone. He started dating this woman 1 year after his wife's death, how much time alone did he have? His sons feel as if this is an insult to their Mother since she has been dead such a short time. My thinking is why not just date her or live with her? Why does he feel the need to marry her? He says people from his era don't live together? Why not? He's very set financially and in my opinion is making a bad move. Why on earth he feels the need to remarry after a marriage that lasted over 45 years is beyond me. I know I'm sort of ranting here but this whole thing really has the whole family bugged. If he had to do this he could have ran off to Vegas and had a little private ceremony instead of the Broadway Spectacle we have to go thru tomorrow. Oh well, I hope they have a lot of liquor at the reception I have the feeling we're going to need it. This is a hard pill to swallow and tomorrow is going to be a very long day for the whole family. Aren't you glad you tuned in? It's freezing cold here in northeast Ohio and according to the news there's more snow to come. I love living in an icebox. I've picked another winner for a free ad in this ezine. The winner is Fran Parker! If you're reading this reply to the email I sent to you with your ad copy and I'll get it in the next issue. If you'd like a chance to win a free ad in this ezine simply fill out the demographic survey whose link you'll find at the bottom of this newsletter. You really can win. Everytime I write a new article I send it out to a list I maintain of publishers and website owners for possible inclusion in their newsletters or on their sites. If you'd like to be included in that list, send a message to mailto:addmetothelist@merlesworld.com As usual I've rounded up some great resources for you so let's get started. If you have any comments you can send them to mailto:merle@merlesworld.com Merle http://www.MerlesWorld.com http://www.EzineAdAuction.com http://www.MCPromotions.com -------------------------------------------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------------------------------------------- => 1. News From the Net => 2. Feature Article- "Top 7 Reasons to Review your Web Traffic Analysis" => 3. Webmaster Resources => 4. Promotional Resources => 5. Other Ezines of Interest => 6. Just for Fun or Useful => 7. E Books and Things of Interest to Publishers => 8. Freeware and Shareware to Download => 9.Subscribe/Remove Information --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NEWS FROM THE NET -------------------------------------------------------------- Register Rejects Offer to Sell http://boston.internet.com/news/article.php/1570771 ----- Fast Signs With Espotting http://www.newmediazero.com/nma/story.asp?id=239493 ----- Ebay Reveals PayPal Integration Glitch http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y03/m01/i15/s02 ---- IRS Makes Push for Online Tax Filing http://news.com.com/2100-1017-980746.html?tag=lh ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>> Please Support our Sponsors ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----sponsor adv Here's How I Raked In $93,424.07 Since March 25th! Frankly, I'm a little embarrassed that someone else discovered this breakthrough before I did. http://www.mininggold.com/?50034 (1X) --------------------------------------------- 2. FEATURE ARTICLE --------------------------------------------- Top 7 Reasons to Review your Web Traffic Analysis by Philippa Gamse Understanding your Website's traffic logs is a crucial component of your online marketing mix. It tells you what your visitors do, of their own volition, so it's "market research that cannot lie!" If you understand what you're seeing, you can make some great strategic and marketing decisions, not only for your Website, but for your business as a whole. Here are seven key marketing elements to study in your traffic analysis: 1. General Statistics Remember that a "hit" is recorded every time the visitor gets an image or some text from your site -- what you need to know is unique user sessions, and how much time people spend on the site -- how "sticky" and engaging it is. If you have tons of traffic, but the average time spent on your site is less than a minute -- you've got a problem! 2. Most and Least Requested Pages So what's really hot, and what's not on your site? The most popular pages give you great clues as to what to offer more of. The least viewed pages may tell you that some of your content isn't as fascinating as you think, or this maybe a heads-up that your navigation isn't driving traffic as effectively as it should. 3. Top Entry and Exit Pages These are great reminders that not all your visitors come through your home page, so you need complete navigation on every entry point to your site. And if people are leaving from pages that you don't want them to, perhaps you need stronger calls to action in those areas. 4. Single Access Pages These are the pages where a visitor looks at the site then leaves immediately. Since the job of your home page is partly to filter the traffic that's not right for you, there'll always be some of these. But if you have a splash page, and significant numbers of visitors don't stay through it... perhaps it shouldn't be there? 5. Cities, States and Countries No, your site isn't a huge hit just in Virginia -- those are all the AOL users! Unfortunately, because this information depends on where the ISP is based, it can be pretty misleading. But if you are getting a lot of hits from other countries, that might be a hint for some second language content. 6. Referring URL's This tells you which search engines are sending you traffic, and which of your advertising and linking strategies are working. It also tells you about sites that may have links to you that you didn't know about -- check these out -- it's a great relationship builder to send a thank you -- you might even get some new business from it! 7. Top Search Keywords and Phrases Once the search engines have listed your site, these tell you what the really hot search terms are for your business. Pay attention to these -- they may have some surprises -- one of my clients recently wrote a book on a subject that was really sought after on her site -- until she saw the top keywords, she had no idea it was so popular! ------------------------------------------------------------ Philippa Gamse, CyberSpeaker, is an internationally recognized e-business strategist. Check out her free tipsheet "Beyond the Search Engines" for 17 ideas to promote your Website: http://www.CyberSpeaker.com/tipsheet.html Philippa can be reached at (831) 465-0317 or mailto:pgamse@CyberSpeaker.com ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>> Please Support our Sponsors ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----sponsor adv/ Learn How To Design Your Business Website In Less Than 10 Days! Webdesign for beginners to advanced. Milana shows you how easy it really is! Every Webmaster's Dream, everything you need to know! Milana teaches you how to set things up right the first time. In non-tech terms for beginning Webmasters. 17 Tutorials Included http://www.profcs.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=55659 (1X) ------------------------------------------------ 3. WEBMASTER RESOURCES ------------------------------------------------- DNS STUFF Here's a tool every webmaster needs. Find out if your IP is blacklisted, perform pings and many other admin tasks, quickly and easily and all in one place. http://www.dnsstuff.com/ ------- FREE ONLINE WEB TOOLS If you create websites you'll want to bookmark this handy site. Featuring many online tools for creating all kinds of cool site effects like roll overs,background effects and so much more. http://www.webpage-tools.com/index.asp ------ FORMS IN HTML DOCS Everything you never wanted to know about forms and then some. No lack of information here. http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/interact/forms.html ------ 2 cool programs that should be in every Webmasters arsenal. Javascript Menu Master For details please visit http://www.harmonyhollow.net/jmm.shtml Cool Web Scrollbars Details can be found at http://www.harmonyhollow.net/cws.shtml ----- HTML CENTER Tutorials, reviews and help forums with topics ranging from DHTML, CSS, Photoshop, Flash, Javascript and more. You can learn a lot with all of the fantastic information at HTML Center. http://htmlcenter.com/ ====================================== Tip ====================================== Code Your Email Address to Protect Yourself ________________________________________ To Prevent Email Harvesting of your email address from your website make sure to encode it when placing it on your site. Replace the @ sign with @ Your email address will still be clickable and work it just keeps the robots from snagging it for their database which they later turn and sell to spa^mmers. example: Instead of typing merle@mcpromotions.com You would type merle@mcpromotions.com =========================================== ----------------------------------------------- 4. PROMOTIONAL RESOURCES ----------------------------------------------- "Only $10.00 to Advertise?" Sure you can, at EzineAdAuction.com it's EASY! You'll reach Thousands of prospective customers in the process.Why Waste hundreds of dollars on advertising when you can test your ad campaigns so inexpensively with us. The answer for a "small ad budget". Click Here to start Saving.. http://EzineAdAuction.com ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>> Please Support our Sponsors ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----sponsor adv/ INCREASE YOUR SEARCH ENGINE RANKING Want to exchange links? We are currently a page rank 5 and want to get to 9. We limit number of links per page to 25. Go to http://www.pillfreevitamins.com and fill out our link exchange form. No Adult Content, Link Farms, or Banned Sites. ---------------------------------------------- 5. OTHER EZINES OF INTEREST ---------------------------------------------- If you'd like to swap ads with this ezine please send your requests to mailto:adswap@merlesworld.com Please include your ezine name and the number of subscribers. --------------------------- Tired of losing money on the Internet? Learn the REAL truth about what it takes to make money Online. No hype, no bull.Former truck driver turned six figure income earner shows you how he did it! Visit http://www.internetcashplanet.com/subscribe.htm and subscribe today! ----------- Do You Know How to Get Traffic? M.C. Promotions Press Ezine is sent out twice a month featuring tips,tools,links, and marketing and promotion articles that will help you masterthe art and science of Internet Web Site Promotion. Containing the HOTTEST Marketing Techniques, traffic generators, SECRETS of search engines and much more. If you want more traffic and are trying to create an online presence, this ezine is for you.To subscribe send... mailto:subscribe@mcpromotions.com ------- ParentPreneur Weekly Ezine is geared towards parents working from home. Subscribe today and get HOT news & access to the latest tools & tips for home workers. All new subscribers will receive FREE gifts mailto:mcp-subscribe@parentpreneurclub.com http://www.parentpreneurclub.com?s00mcp ======================================================= <<<< T H E O R I G I N A L E Z I N E - R I N G >>>> Free Samples of the Best Internet Marketing Ezines ... Previous: mailto:mewsletter@autobots.net Next: mailto:2000fastracksample@sendfree.com *Full List and 3 Freebies: mailto:ering15@writead.com* ======================================================= -------------------------------------------- 6. JUST FOR FUN OR USEFUL -------------------------------------------- KARTOO A very cool search engine, view your results in a graphical presentation or as regular links. This is really fun. http://www.kartoo.com -------- HAMMERSNIPE Sick and tired of losing out on those auctions at the last minute? HammerSnipe will swoop in at the last minute and take it for you making you the winner each and every time....no more lost auctions ever. http://www.hammersnipe.com/ --------- CHEAP HEALTH INSURANCE Having a problem affording health insurance? Check out some of these alternatives. You'll find prices from 8.00 a month and up. If you work for yourself you may find a workable solution with one of them. http://www.ehealthcard.com/ http://www.ameriplanusa.com http://www.savewell.com ---- FREE PERSONAL PC AUDIT Download this free software that takes a full inventory of the hardware and all installed=20 software on your computer then displays that information for your inspection in your browser. Nifty and free. http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>> Please Support our Sponsors ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----sponsor adv/ TRAFFICOLOGY TRAFFICOLOGY is easily the best "How-To-Get-Traffic" newsletter on earth! If you're not reading it, you are completely out of the loop! Check it out... ... and prepare to be amazed! http://hop.clickbank.net/?dakota6969/trafficolo ---------------------------------------------------------- 7. E BOOKS AND THINGS OF INTEREST TO EZINE PUBLISHERS _________________________________________________ Miracle E-Book for those "Workin The Net". Whether you're a Pro Net Marketer or a weekend Web Warrior, you'll want to keep this handy resource open at all times. This book packs the best FREE resources for those trying to make a success on the Internet http://www.merlesworld.com/tk.cgi?MMEBOOK ------- This E-book is PACKED with business resources for today's entrepreneur. Run your business from anywhere in the world with a Net connection and your PC. Extraordinary resources you need to know about to run your business more efficiently. The Complete Guide to Running your online business easily and inexpensively. Get it before your competitors do! http://www.mcpromotions.com/ebooks/businessin2000.exe ---------------------------------------------- 8. FREEWARE- SHAREWARE- TRIALS TO DOWNLOAD ---------------------------------------------- HTML KIT "HTML-Kit is a full-featured editor and an integrated development environment designed to help HTML, XHTML, XML and script authors to edit, format, lookup help, validate, preview and publish web pages. Newcomers to web page development can benefit from letting it point out errors and provide suggestions on how to create standards compliant pages. " Free software. http://chami.com/html-kit/ ------- INVISION BOARD If you've been looking for a free web based bulletin board look no further then InvisionBoard. With over 1,000 downloads a day, this powerful board is just what you're looking for with a price tag of free. Who can beat that? http://www.invisionboard.com/ --------- SMART FTP If you need a free FTP software program take a look at Smart FTP. Free for personal use.. http://www.smartftp.com/ ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>> Please Support our Sponsors ---<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----<<+>>-----sponsor adv/ GET OVER 70 FREE PLACES TO PROMOTE YOUR EZINE Want to get more subscribers? Want to create an ezine that brings you more business? Learn how to do both! Discover how to create & promote your own successful ezine that brings qualified customers to your site. THREE FREE BONUSES! http://hop.clickbank.net/?dakota6969/sbsezine ------------------------------------------ 9.IMPORTANT STUFF ------------------------------------------ Well, that wraps it up,once again thanks for joining me. If you have any comments please send them to comments@merlesworld.com or visit http://www.MerlesWorld.com For advertising rates for this ezine send... mailto:advertising@merlesworld.com Current subscriber base is over 2,300- My list is clean as all email addresses are removed the very first time they bounce. Back issues can be reviewed here... http://www.merlesworld.com/ezinebackissues.htm If you would like to be taken off our mailing list: send mailto:removeme@merlesworld.com or click on the link at the very bottom of this ezine to take care of it yourself. If you are not a subscriber and would like to be send mailto:subscribe@merlesworld.com *********************************** For more information: http://www.merlesworld.com/newsletter.htm *************************************** For great web hosting or if you're in need of a programmer contact mailto:DavidBlack@SiteDesignandHosting.com He's wonderful and an expert at what he does. Tell him "Merle" sent ya. P.S. I am currently in need of testimonials for this ezine. If you enjoy it please let me know. Send to mailto:testimonials@MerlesWorld.com ========================== If you haven't yet filled in the subscriber survey, get your free gifts by doing it now..and be entered into a drawing for a free ad in this ezine. Winner pulled twice a month. You'll find the survey at: http://www.advancedsurvey.com/home.asp?SurveyID=901 -------------- I'm now offering my articles for syndication on your website All you have to do is paste SOME code where you want the article to appear and every 10 to 14 days when I update it on my end it will display a fresh article on web design/maintenance on your site. Easy to do and gives you fresh content without any work whatsoever. For more info and to get to the code go to.... http://www.merlesworld.com/SyndicationColumns/syndication_columns.htm Thanks for being a subscriber and I'll see you next time! If you enjoy this ezine and would like to make a small donation please go to ... http://tinyurl.com/21se ----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>----<<>>---- IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ========================= Disclaimer: Merle's World does not accept any responsibility for any liabilities as resulting from any claims in this newsletter or by the advertisers in it. This newsletter is for informational purposes only. We respect your privacy and do not share our mailing list with anyone. All content provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Copyright 2001-2002-2003 All Rights Reserved