Archive for October, 2007

An uncomfortable truth about domains

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

When registrations for .com domains began in 1985, a total of six names were registered that year and forty-four more the following year. Two decades later,  there are now more .com domain names registered than there are words in the English language.

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Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Masthead

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Melbourne IT Best eBusiness Award

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

This year Melbourne IT sponsored the Best eBusiness Award as part of the annual My Business Awards. The Best eBusiness Award recognises, rewards and supports Australian businesses that harness the power of the Internet to reach new markets, create business opportunities, and develop innovative ways to provide superior customer experience. Read More

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Search engine listing: natural vs paid

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

Getting your business listed on search engines is no longer a question of why. Rather, it is a matter how and how soon.  And, knowing the difference between paying for placement (Pay-Per Click) and earning your placement “organically” (Search Engine Optimisation) is key. Read More

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Top tips to get high on Google

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

Marketing your website through search engines is a combination of business savvy and IT expertise. While we recommend you leave all the messing about with website code to a search engine marketing professional like Melbourne IT, it helps to understand how it works. Read More

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Questions & answers about blogs

Sunday, October 14th, 2007

Brian Herne Says:
October 11th, 2007 at 2:13 pm

What type of information constitutes a blog? More importantly is there any that dosen’t?
Where does a blog live on the web? My web site or someone elses?
Who owns a blogging site, some examples?
How is one classified as a blogger?

Answer:

A blog is like a personal journal that focuses on a certain theme or topic. It can be about absolutely anything. The only difference is that a blog is open to people on the Internet for comment and feedback. Our article on “Should a small business blog” contains examples of blogs that different types of businesses – big and small - run.

It is best that your blog focuses on a subject which you have a genuine interest or expertise and helps to leverage your industry knowledge. It will make writing content easier and of higher quality. There is nothing that cannot be ‘blogged’ about: gardening tips, travel diary, a blog on the best fishing locations in the world, advice on how to buy and sell properties, or even blogs of a more personal nature.  That is, if you are happy enough to share your private thoughts to readers on the world wide web.

Typically, your business blog should be housed in a section on your website, separate from other product or business information. If you do not have the facilities to host a blog yourself there are many third party services which offer free blogging access for anyone. Sites such as Blogger and Wordpress are a good start.  Just make sure you link to your website!

A blogger is ’someone (anyone) who writes or maintains a blog.’ Put simply, it is you!
Patricia Beatty Says:
October 11th, 2007 at 4:56 pm

Brian’s comments typify mine. I’m an ‘oldie’ with very little experience with computers but willing to learn and try anything! It would be fantastic if I could start a ‘blog’, ’story’, ‘communication’ etc. on my website for the public to read and primarily be informed and educated from, which will then, hopefully, lead them to me! I really do like this idea!

So, do I just add another webpage to my website with an appropriate name for the public to click onto, add some informative chit-chat and a form for the public to fill in and comment? Then, regularly update this ‘informative chit-chat’? Is this how it will work? It sounds to me like a monthly article in a magazine but with none of the costly fees!

Please enlighten me and thank you for your education.
Sincerely,
Patricia Beatty

Answer:

You are on the right path Patricia! A blog can be used just like a monthly magazine, where you can post relevant information for your customers, giving them a great and valuable reason to regularly return to your site.

The articles you post on your blog should aim to be informative and useful, but also to evoke discussion within the readers which actively engages them in your environment. Much like we do here at www.successbox.com.au.

It is best to start up the blog in an easily accessable spot on your website. A common location is yourwebsite.com.au/blog. Simply install your chosen blogging software at this location and start posting. Not sure how to install the software? All Melbourne IT’s unix hosting plans now come with the ability to install blogs built through Wordpress.

Geoff Says:
October 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am

I second everything Nigel says.
“A tableless design with headlines such as H1s, H2s and so on.” I do not have a clue what you are talking about!
You should remember that not everyone running a company is under 30 years of age. If you wish to sell me something, you will have to do a better job than this.

Answer:

You’re right Geoff. This is too much tech-talk.

If you’re designing your website yourself, chances are, you are familiar with these terms. For the majority who call upon web designers to build or redesign their websites, make it clear that you want a website designed to draw search engines.

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.ASIA – new domain release

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

.Asia (dot-asia) is a new domain name for individuals or organisations that operate in the vast Asian region. It is a domain space with wide coverage in a region of strong economic and Internet growth. Read More

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Should a small business blog?

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Firstly, what’s a blog? Well, successbox.com.au is a type of blog.  And according to mysmallbusiness.com.au blogger, Kirsten Le Mesurier, blogs are a medium for soul-baring and straight talking. They are read because they are anti-establishment and free of spin. Read More

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Develop your own Wordpress theme

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

If you need to get a blog up quickly, Wordpress is a great way to launch a fully featured blog that can be easily customised. Most good web hosts offer Wordpress as part of their standard hosting packages, so in most cases it’s simply a matter of activating Wordpress and starting to communicate what’s on your mind. Read More

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Blogging ups your web ranking

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

The word has long been out – blogging is the way to establish your online presence. These days, every one seems to have a blog – from your buddy on that popular social networking site to the local political commentator to large corporate houses. Read More

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