Newsletter ArchiveSUBJECTs:Content - Pop-Ups The Internet 800 Directory - http://www.inter800.com The Internet 800 Directory Newsletter This issue is for Friday, October 05, 2001 Table of Contents 01. Content 02. Pop-Ups *01 Content Welcome to The Internet 800 Directory Newsletter. In past newsletters we have covered different ideas and ways to gain traffic to your web site. Getting new visitors to a web site cost time and money. This effort could be wasted if your web site doesn’t provide this prospective customer with the basic information they need. Review your web site and see if these items are dealt with appropriately. 1. Summary statement of what your product does and who will benefit from its use. Does your site do a good job of explaining your product and the potential benefits it can provide? 2. Service and support information. Are fears of defective products answered by a statement of support? Do you provide information on how to use the product? 3.Information about the composition of the product, how it’s constructed and its compatibility with other products. Do you inform the visitor of the quality and care placed into your products? 4. Product reviews or testimonials from other users. Can your site provide your visitor the convenience needed to take action? If you have found an effective or creative way to cover any of these points, please send them to me (Chuck Arning) at chuck@inter800.com *02 Pop-Ups On 6/29/01, we discussed pop-up advertising. "Pop-ups" are ads that do not appear on the web page you are viewing, but rather they "pop" open in a new browser window. Some pop-ups hide behind the window you're viewing, only to be seen when you log off and close the original browser. Others pop up in front of the browser you're viewing, obscuring the page, and demanding immediate attention. In the June article, Chuck mentioned various forms of software designed to block pop-up ads. The makers of these types of software claim they are helping users reclaim their limited bandwidth by eliminating graphic ads that would normally increase download time. Advertisers counter that bandwidth has increased considerably and blocking ads is unnecessary and only results in killing the web site's revenue stream. It should come as no surprise to find that web publishers are about to strike back. AdKey, new software currently in beta testing, will allow Web site operators to deny access to users who have installed ad filters. When AdKey detects the ad blocking software, it responds with a choice to either switch off the filtering software or pay to see an ad-free site. The third option of course, is to make the site unavailable. This produces an interesting quandary. Does an individual have a right to view a web site's content for free without seeing the ads? Does a publisher have a right to force you to view the ads in exchange for viewing the content? Certainly, the idea of unlimited ad-free content appeals to most Internet users. Unfortunately, Internet publishers that do not get paid for their time and effort do not have a business, they have a hobby. Our own site, the Internet 800 Directory, a free service for users and those listed within it, would have gone away a long time ago, if not for the revenue generated from Enhanced Listings and banner ads. Personally, I think pop-up ads are pretty annoying. Some are extremely persistent, popping up every time I change pages within the site. Some are chained together, causing a replacement ad to pop up after the first one is closed. Oftentimes, their unexpected appearance disrupts whatever activity I was pursuing on the original web page. As much as I dislike them, I make a conscious decision to suffer through them in exchange for the privilege of viewing the desired content. I do not complain about the ads to the publisher, as I am unprepared to pay him for his time and hope others click the ads and keep the site in business. How do you feel about this? Is there a solution or is this situation akin to TV commercials, another annoying interruption that we've learned to live with? I would like to hear your opinion, as well as any suggestions you may have as to how free content and web ads can co-exist. Email me direct at george@gotollfree.com. Banners? Pay-per-click? Why not target your market with links or information placed in relevant content? The Internet 800 Directory Newsletter offers direct access to business people who are interested buyers. Advertising: Information on how to sponsor this publication: Call 800-299-1879 Thanks for taking to time to review our newsletter for this week. If you know of anyone that might benefit from receiving this newsletter, send them to (http://www.inter800.com/news800/ ) where they can subscribe. All Contents Copyright ©1995-2001 The Internet 800 Directory Subscribe To The Newsletter: |