Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly Newsletter

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Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #32 June 28, 2002
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter.
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
Domain Registration - Think First, Grab Later!
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
4 Small Business Basics To Ignore At Your Peril
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


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Domain Registration - Think First, Grab Later!
by Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

Editor's Comments: I am asked the questions I'm about to
answer in this article on an almost daily basis. Usually by
those who leaped before they looked.
------------------------------------------------------------

When starting any new venture online, whether it's your
first try or your twentieth, you'll begin with a name for
your new idea. This name usually translates, when doing
business online, directly into a domain name for the website
that will follow.

Whether you already own the domain or are planning to get
one, there are a lot of things you should consider and be
aware of. Choosing a domain is not as easy as coming up
with a cool-sounding name and whipping out your credit card
to register it.

Before you register that domain, think about it carefully -
you will probably live with this choice for the duration of
this online venture. I find that choosing a domain is
easiest when I compile a short list (six or eight) of
probable names - don't check for availability just yet. Now
look over the list and number the names from one to the last
in order of your preference for the domain. Take this same
list (without the numbers) and give copies to your spouse,
friends, relatives - anyone who knows about your new idea
and have them rank them as well. Take those lists and
compare them. Likely, there are some trends between the
lists.

Make a new list in the order of the trends you've noticed
(first to last in ranking). Now go online and check for
availability. If the first is taken, move on to the second.
The first one to be available is most likely your best bet.

Now before you register it, you may consider getting an
appraisal on the new domain first. A professional domain
appraiser can give you clues about the usability of the
domain - how well does it translate to spoken word, what is
its most likely target industry, etc. These are all clues
that can tell you the potential value of the domain for
marketing purposes. Some domain appraisers charge fairly
hefty prices, while others are much cheaper. Find one
you're comfortable with - look at samples and see if the
information presented would be useful to you. Here at
Aaronz WebWorkz, we do appraisals for $5 each:
http://aww.aaronzwebworkz.com/services/index.shtml?appraise

Now that you've decided on your domain and have purchased
it, you will have to start maintaining the domain. This is
usually simple and straightforward. If you registered the
domain for one year, you are guaranteed ownership of that
domain for that year. If you registered for two years,
three years, etc. you are guaranteed ownership for that
time. However, you'll need to check up on the domain
occasionally and make sure that you aren't getting close to
its expiration date. After all, if you miss renewing, it is
possible for someone else to buy it and you could lose it
forever or pay an inflated price to get it back from him or
her. Many domain registrars will alert you when your domain
is nearing expiration - which takes some of the headaches
out of this process.

I usually recommend that, in the beginning, you register for
only one year. If your business is beginning to take off or
thrive within that year, then ad more time to the
registration. No use spending the money when it could be
used towards more important startup issues such as
advertising!

While registering a domain name happens daily on the
Internet, it is far from a mundane task. The right domain
can be the difference between a marketable website and one
that's lost in the void.

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

Wow! Busy week! Some of you may have heard in the news
late last week that several law enforcement offices launched
stings and raids against "get-rich-quick" schemes and other
scams. I'll have a full article on this coordinated attack
on fraud next week.

If you're tired of website popup ads (those pages that just
"pop up" when you enter or leave a website and are usually
advertisements) and want to get rid of them, I found a great
utility for doing so: PopupDummy! It's $18 and does a
great job of it. You can get it here:
http://www.dummysoftware.com

See you all next week!

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Readers Talk Back!
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"Hey, Aaron. Saw your work on the Online Auction Academy
website and newsletter and had to sign up for your
newsletter on your website. You are very good at this!"
--Laurie D. (http://www.profitablepricing.com)

Editor: Thanks, Laurie! Glad to know I have fans. :)

"You mentioned another newsletter a couple of issues back.
Where is it and how can I sign up for it?"
--Blake T. (no website listed)

Editor: Hi, Blake. Yes, I do another newsletter. It's for
the Online Auction Academy and you can sign up for it FREE
on their website:
http://www.auctiontrainer.com/cgi-bin/affiliate/
clickme.cgi?exec=aaron&site=site1
Long, I know. If it doesn't appear as a link in your email
client, you can cut-and-paste it into your browser nav. bar.

"Hey, tell Joe that his article last week was AWESOME and
HILARIOUS! I signed up for his newsletter this week!"
--ebjay@... (no website listed)

Editor: I'll make sure he knows. :)

"Joe rocks! I love his stuff! Print more!"
--Crandall (no website listed)

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
4 Small Business Basics To Ignore At Your Peril

by Noel Peebles
Get Your 100% FREE mini-course "17 Powerful Secrets
That Have Made Business Owners Into Millionaires."
100% FREE! Simply send a blank email to:
instantsellbusiness@ReportsNetwork.com

Editor's Comments: This is a great article about some of the
fundamentals of business - online or off.
------------------------------------------------------------

Small business failure rates are alarmingly high for several
reasons. The truth is; some small businesses just gets
"blown out of the water" by well-organized aggressive
competitors. Others are guilty of misreading what it is the
market really wants. And, then there are those who simple
fail on the basics.

Here are 4 small business basics not to be ignored:

Basic #1. Start Small
The first two years in business is usually the most
critical. It is the time when you spend money, not only
setting up your business, but also in attracting first-time
customer's. Unless you have unlimited funds, it is usually
best to start small. Keep your overheads to a minimum until
you are confident of success.

When setting up a home-based business, consider starting off
part-time while retaining your full-time income. Then, when
the time is right, expand your venture into a full-time
business. This is a great way of minimizing your risk of
failure.

Basic # 2. Don’t Waste Money
Be careful about spending money on non-essential items. For
example, you may want a cellular phone, but do you really
need one to operate your business efficiently? You may want
a late model car, but does your business really need the
latest model? Have a firm grasp of what things cost and
their value to your business.

Basic # 3. Avoid The Cash Flow Trap
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. Poor cash flow
is often the first indicator that a business is in trouble
and not making enough (or any) profit. Cash flow needs to be
watched closely in any business, especially one that is just
starting off.

Remember these two points. 1. Things always seem to cost
more than for what you budgeted. 2. Sales (or payments) can
take a long time to start flowing in.

Maintaining good cash flow in a new business can be
difficult especially if the business begins its life
undercapitalized. A new business is disadvantaged by not
having previous business records to budget with. The owner
usually has to rely on estimated sales volumes, estimated
overhead expenses and estimated seasonal variances etc. Any
of these could prove to be wildly inaccurate and be the
undoing of a business.

When expanding a business, be careful not to let cash flow
become too tight. Bankers and suppliers need to have
confidence in your ability to meet your debts. If cash flow
gets too tight, then perhaps you need to rethink the way you
are doing business or another option is to limit your growth
plans.

Basic # 4. Get Out Of Debt
The quicker the better! That’s not to say that you shouldn’t
borrow money to grow your business. If the numbers stack up
- then why not? An injection of cash at the right time, for
the right purpose, could be just what the doctor ordered.
However, interest charges and repayments on monies borrowed,
are a constant drain on cash flow.

The more you owe the higher the risk. If the economy
tightens or the market changes, how much you owe may
influence your ability to weather the storm.

The point is; success or failure in business doesn’t happen
overnight. It doesn’t happen by accident. Success in
business is a mix of thinking, systems and actions - all
working together, day in and day out.

Success occurs when opportunity is linked with
preparation... which in turn is linked with hard work...
which is then linked with action. So, for any small business
owner it is important to get the basics right from day 1.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2002 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:subscribe]

To unsubscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:unsubscribe]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #31 June 21, 2001
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter.
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
A Quick Guide to Third-Party Credit Card Processors
=> From The Webmaster
=> Spotlight On: Email Your Brain To Tomorrow
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
How To Use Words And Statistics To Rule The World
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
A Quick Guide to Third-Party Credit Card Processors
(c) Copyright 2002, Angela Wu

Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical,
down-to-earth guide to building an Internet business on a
beginner's budget. If you enjoyed this article, you'll love
the book! Visit http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html
or request a series of 10 free reports to get you started:
mailto:businessbasics@workyourleads.com

Editor's Comments: Here's an excellent, quick overview of
some of the most popular CC processors on the 'Net.
------------------------------------------------------------

If you've ever looked into getting your own merchant
account, you already know how expensive it can be.
Application fees, setup fees, standard monthly fees,
transaction fees... they all add up fast! It can be too
much for a business that's just getting started.

There is an alternative. Third-party credit card processing
companies handle your credit card transactions for you in
return for a cut of your profits. Setup is typically
either free, or there's a small, one-time fee.

Here's here it works: once you've applied and/or been
approved and paid any applicable setup fees, you create
ordering links for your products. These ordering links
lead to the third-party processor's server, where they
handle orders on your behalf. Credit cards and online
checks are common ordering options provided by third-party
processors. Some also offer a telephone ordering option.

After your customer places an order, that sale is
automatically credited to you, minus the company's
commission. You are paid by the third-party processor
at regular intervals, according to their pay schedule.

So what's the big deal? Why would third-party processors
appeal to startup businesses? Aside from the setup fee,
you are only ever charged IF and WHEN you make a sale.
If you don't sell anything, you're not charged anything.

Here are a few things to consider when researching third-
party processors:

* How much is the setup fee? Don't be put off if there
is one; three of the four processors I use charge a
setup fee, and they've been well worth the small cost.

* Transaction fees. After paying these fees, do you
still make a reasonable profit? I've seen fees
ranging from around 5% to about 30%, with the average
somewhere in the middle.

* Are there additional fees for accepting online checks
or telephone orders? Does the processor even offer
these as options?

* Settlement fees. Does the company charge to cut you
a check each pay period, or to wire transfer your funds
to you?

* How much is the reserve? A 'reserve' is the amount held
back from each pay check as a "slush fund" against
future refunds, returns, or chargebacks. What percentage
do they hold as a reserve, and for how long? It's
commonly 10%, held for 6 months before being released
back to you.

* Pay frequency. Most pay either every two weeks, or
once a month.

* Reliability. Talk to others who have used the service
to see if they've had any problems. If your order
processor is 'down', your customers can't buy!

* Restrictions and limitations. For example, is there a
minimum monthly sales quota you must reach? Is there a
maximum product price you can set? Does the company
restrict what the type of content you can sell? Do
they handle only tangible or intangible products?

* Customer service. Does the company respond promptly
and helpfully when you contact them?

* 'Extras'. For example, are there reporting or tracking
capabilities? Free use of a shopping cart?


Finally, here's a short reference list of several third-
party processing companies:

* Clickbank, http://clickbank.com/
* GloBill, http://globill.com/
* Digibuy, http://digibuy.com/
* Revecom, http://revecom.com/
* iBill, http://ibill.com/
* 2Checkout.com, http://2checkout.com/
* Verotel, http://verotel.com/
* CCNow, http://ccnow.com/


As you can see, there are many options, so don't let a
tight budget prevent you from taking orders online! Third-
party processors are both convenient and affordable -- even
for startup businesses.

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

More fun here at Aaronz WebWorkz! The site went through a
few changes and additions late last week and early this
week. If you have any ideas or suggestions for an article
or tutorial that you think would benefit the site's users,
let me know.

A lot of new technology news this week. The best news is
that IBM plans to take on Microsoft in the Web Services war
with their WebSphere technology (competing directly with
.Net). If anyone has a chance against Microsoft, it's IBM!

If you're in Utah, the Utah Arts Festival starts this week-
end and runs for four days. It's being held in downtown
Salt Lake City again (after several years of absence due to
construction). On the same subject, a great local artist,
Michael Zetterquist, has asked me to build him a new website
to showcase his series of paintings under the title "The
Man In The Wheelchair." When the site is complete, I'll
post a link in this newsletter.

As always, if you have any comments, suggestions, or
criticisms, send them in! A lot of you aren't including
your URL (website address) with your comments. If you do,
and I publish your comment, that URL will be included next
to your name. Free publicity! :)

------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight On: Email Your Brain To Tomorrow
by ©Judith Tramayne-Barth

Judith Tramayne-Barth has "A Good Read Art & Book Club" you
have to see to believe. Members get free ebooks, paintings,
1000 link ebook & more. Visit: http://www.agoodread.com or her
art site at http://www.trabar.com

------------------------------------------------------------

What is the first thing you do each morning? No, smart
aleck, I mean AFTER you hit your computer's on button.

I'll bet you connect to the Internet and check your email.
If you don't, you have way too much self discipline and
maybe you should consider therapy. For those of you who
HAVE to have your morning fix -- reading email while you sip
your java, tea or mineral spring water -- this little hint
is going to make your day. Or, to be more exact, make your
night.

Being an extremely busy person, I tend to organize tasks I
hate into less disagreeable forms. And, one of the tasks I
hate is making "to do" lists. Others might call them "goal"
lists. Whatever words are used, they are a royal pain.

Why? Because by the mere act of writing them out, these
"jobs" have taken on importance and must get done or I get
the guilts. So I developed my "email your brain to
tomorrow" concept.

This concept came to me one night before going to bed. My
brain was filled with the day's business and I knew, if I
didn't clear it, I would have trouble getting to sleep.

Since I was already in my email software program, I hit the
compose button and started writing out what I needed to do
the next day. The more I wrote, the more relaxed I became
because I was clearing my mind. After I was finished, I
sent the email to myself and shut down my computer.

The next morning (after a very peaceful night's sleep),
there was my email waiting for me to print out. Instead of
my having to think about what to do first thing in the
morning -- which is an impossibility without at least three
cups of coffee -- my day was planned.

Surprisingly, this helped me dig right in on what needed to
be done without wasting valuable time. I left the email on
my computer and that night I hit the reply to button, took
off what I had accomplished that day and added more for the
next day thus clearing my mind again.

Pretty soon this became a regular thing and I found I no
longer hated "to do/goal lists" because by "emailing my
brain to tomorrow," I could enjoy the rest of the evening
without guilt.

So try my technique before you shut down your computer and
see, if you too, don't receive the same benefits. Sure you
could use a program where you input this stuff or even a
text editor, but your email program is so much more
convenient. Usually it's the first thing you look at every
morning and the last thing before you shut down each night.

Just make sure your subject line is in CAPITALS and has a
"catchy" title. My suggestion -- "Email Your Brain To
Tomorrow" -- ought to get your attention :-)

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Readers Talk Back!
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"Thanks for the article on log analysis! I honestly had no
idea that this technology existed right on my account w/o
having to point to Bravenet or someone."
--Barb K. (www.myweblog.org - under construction)

"Hey! Glad to see the site updated with the newsletter
issues. I check them regularly. Any plans for an HTML
version, buddy?"
--Phil S. (no website)

Editor: Hi, Phil. I've been considering an HTML version for
some time, but wasn't sure how many would be interested. I
do have some plans in the works that will come to fruition
in the next month or so that may answer this question for
me, though. For now, the HTML version is available only on
the website (which usually updates by the Monday following
the issue's release). Thanks!

"That article '6 Reasons Why Setting Goals Doesn't Work' is
right on the money! I dunno how many times I have fallen
into that trap."
--sprocket@ (no website listed)

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
How To Use Words And Statistics To Rule The World
Written by Joe Bingham of the NetPlay Newsletter
Joe is a widely published and acclaimed Internet marketing
author. His business includes doing promotional article
writing for Internet businesses and the NetPlay Newsletter
ezine. NetPlay is: *Unique *Informative *Better
What are you missing at NetPlay today? Visit Now!
http://www.netplaynewsletters.com

Editor's Comments: This man blows me away. Seldom have I
seen anyone who can write this well this prolifically. Wow!
His newsletter is one of the few that I've joined and stuck
with over time. This article in particular is funny but
very informative, in Joe's subtle way.
------------------------------------------------------------

If you have a fiendish mind by nature, you'll love this
article. If not, well at least it will prepare you for
dealing with those who are fiendish.

You can literally say, and prove, anything you want whether
it's really true or not, just so long as you know how to say
it.

Don't believe me? Want examples? Oh, I've got examples!
Let's get right to your first lesson.

LESSON NUMBER ONE: "Use claims that sound really big but
are in reality completely meaningless and cannot be used as
grounds for a lawsuit."

Example: Nothing has been proven stronger than Brand A...

Ah to heck with it, let's name names here. I'll go ahead
and use REAL life examples. I'm afraid the pharmaceutical
industry is going to suffer as I do so, but hey, it's not my
fault they run ads assuming that I am STUPID!!!!

Here we go.

Example: "Nothing has been proven stronger on headaches
than Advil. Not Tylenol, not Alleve. Nothing."

Wow, that makes Advil look like it's really kicking the
other brands' rumps, doesn't it?

The key word here is PROVEN. Sure, nothing has been proven
to be stronger than Advil, but why is that?

Because no such testing has ever been done at all! That's
why!

I mean, come one, show me the documentation that PROVES
Advil is stronger than anything else! You couldn't come up
with it anymore than Tylenol or Alleve could!

That doesn't really matter, though, because the phrase
'nothing has been proven stronger than Advil' IMPLIES that
Advil IS the proven strong one.

In reality, however, it means nothing more than the phrase,
"nothing has been proven to be dumber than Advil
commercials."

However, can you see how the technique directs people to
assume Advil is strongest without Advil having to actually
prove that it is?

Fiendish, huh? Absolutely fiendish.


LESSON NUMBER TWO: "Provide a 'twist' in your documentation
that no one else has ever thought of."

Example: "Prescription Zyrtec is the only anti-histamine
proven to work on both indoor and outdoor allergies."

Come on people! Do you really expect me to believe that
every tiny Zyrtec molecule floating around in my blood
stream has the capability of knowing whether I'm inside or
outside of my house?

ANY allergy specialist will tell you that ANY allergen can
be present in or out of your home at ANY time. There are
air currents in this world you know, so unless indoors or
outdoors to you means being inside or outside of your
allergen free, quadruple air filtered, static free 'bubble',
I don't really think it makes any difference.

However, since Zyrtec went to all of the trouble of
'documenting' that their product works whether people are
indoors or out, they get to claim it in their commercials
and drive all of the non-thinking customers their way.

Again, fiendish. Absolutely fiendish.

LESSON NUMBER THREE: "Narrow your field of comparison to
the point that you can claim you are number one."

Example: I can't remember the specific name of this
product, but let's just call it YIP, short for yeast
infection pill. YIP is a new product that kills vaginal
yeast infections and is taken as a pill orally instead of
applied locally as a cream. Their claim is "YIP is the #1
doctor prescribed cure for yeast infections."

Never mind that it's quite possibly the ONLY doctor
prescribed cure for yeast infections. In my experience,
through my wife of course, all other brands of yeast killers
are available over the counter, thus not needing a doctor's
prescription, just a recommendation.

However, since YIP narrowed the field, they CAN claim #1
status, and that is always most impressive to audiences.

Yet again, fiendish. Absolutely fiendish.


LESSON NUMBER FOUR: Statistics can be manipulated to make
anything look good -- or bad.

Right now, my home state of Montana is promoting safe
driving practices using what they call the "Most Of Us"
campaign. One of their claims is that "Most Of Us", 4 out
of 5, do not drink and drive, and since "Most Of Us" don't,
soon the others will wise up and join with the larger crowd.
Isn't that wonderful?!

But wait... Egad!!! That also means 1 out of 5, or 20%,
of the population is driving around drunk off their axles!!!
Oh no!!! No wonder my car insurance went up $20 a month
when I moved up here from Idaho! Clear the streets! It's
not safe!

Well, having lived in Butte, Montana for a while, I totally
understand. We have a LOT of fun around here. Go ahead,
come up for St. Patrick's Day, the Fourth of July, New
Year's or any holiday for that matter and you'll see what I
mean.

Anyway, do you see how presenting the statistic in the right
light made it look good and yet presenting the opposite of
the same statistic made it look downright scary?

Fiendish. Absolutely fiendish.

"A certain percentage of Diet Coke drinkers will DIE within
ONE year of consumption!"

Wow, that's horrible! I'm avoiding DIE-et Coke at all
costs!

Of course, that certain percentage is the same percentage
for people who don't drink Diet Coke. I mean, hey, people
do die every year, you know?

It's literally ALL in the presentation of the claim, and in
how fiendish you want to be in getting what you want
accomplished.

The scariest part of all this is there are professionals out
there that KNOW exactly how to manipulate statistics and
words to get you to believe whatever they want -- and they
don't ALL work for the government either!

Well, now that you've had these lessons, either you can
become one of them, or you will now have a jump on dealing
with this fiendish behavior when you run into it.

Naturally, I'm NOT one of these people. I mean, I am
definitely NOT fiendish. Nope, you can trust me when I tell
you that no one has been proven to be a better writer than I
am. My articles are the only ones proven to be both
humorous and informative at the same time, and I am the
undisputed #1 writer of NetPlay articles.

Still skeptical? How about an infallible statistic to
finish things off?

All of these statements are regarded as 100% true among
those who agree with me.

Can't argue with that now, can you?

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2002 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:subscribe]

To unsubscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:unsubscribe]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #30 June 14, 2002
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter.
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
Log Analysis - a Tribute To Success
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Guest Column:
6 Reasons Why Setting Goals Doesn't Work
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
Log Analysis - a Tribute To Success
By Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

------------------------------------------------------------

A completed website that is listed in search engines, hosted
on a reliable server, and ready for action is a great thing.
It holds nothing but promise and potential for greatness. A
new site owner will look at the site with pride.
Eventually, however, that pride turns to worry. Why?
Because questions start to arise.

*Did I do something wrong that is turning customers away?
*How many people view the site and versus how many actually
buy something?
*What can I change to improve my sales?

These questions, and more, can be answered by analyzing the
log files kept by most web servers and hosts. You may or
may not have access to these files, depending upon your
host's setup. Here at Aaronz WebWorkz, your files are
located on the /log directory of your website space. You
can access them through FTP. Better yet, if you're a news-
letter subscriber and hosted by Aaronz WebWorkz, ask how you
can get your log analysis done once a month for FREE.

If you do not have access to your log files because of your
current host's restrictions or setup, then you have the
alternative of setting up a "free" tracking service. Be
careful, however, as the statistics shown there can usually
be viewed by anyone and are not always as in-depth or
accurate as they could be. Plus they usually involve adding
a new button or logo to your website to advertise for the
free service provider.

If you have access to your raw logs, you can use software
which will analyze these log files for you and give you a
breakdown of statistics for the site. These programs are
not always cheap. Generally, you get what you pay for. I
have tried several "free" or very inexpensive ones and
found them all to be lacking in some way or another. I
finally spent the money ($100) and bought software that
does the job efficiently and very well. I use "Open Web
Scope" software, which can be found by going to:
http://openwebscope.com/Default.asp?vid=258

As a quick run-down of what can be seen in your Web logs and
the power they will give you, here are a few basic features
of most web log analysis:

"Unique Visitors"
This is the number of visitors which have accessed the
website each day, week, and/or month (depending on your
software). This tells you how many visitors have accessed
your site and does not include people who visited more than
once during the time period measured. This is an important
number and, by itself, is enough to set you on fire as you
begin seeing how many visitors versus sales you're making.
Most logs measure unique visitors per day by default.

"Hits" & "Unique Hits"
This term should not be confused with "Unique Visitors"
(above). "Hits" are a measure of how often something has
been accessed, regardless of who accessed it when. So
someone accessing your site several times a day will be
counted each time they access each file and page of your
site (a page could include fifteen or more images, all
counted as hits!). Similarly, a "Unique Hits" measurement
records the same number, but only once per visitor per time
period (see "Unique Visitors" above). These numbers are
nearly useless except as a basic measure of your site's
activity. If you are worried about page loading times,
however, this number for each page can tell you where you
could possibly optimize to limit the number of "hits" per
page (the more hits, the longer it takes for the page to
load).

"Referring Sites" or "Referral URLs"
This is a great piece of information. Some logs give the
last ten while others track all of them. The best ones
give you the top ten followed by a complete list. The top
ten are, of course, of main interest because these are the
sites or IP addresses (if they cannot be resolved to a
website address) that refer to your site most often.
Usually they will be search engines, affiliate sites, or
similar places. Most of these links refer directly to the
web page the users were sent from so you can visit them
yourself. Additionally, this will give you an idea of the
keywords being used to access your site.

"Errors Reported"
This is another great tool for site optimization. These
errors are usually nondescript and mean nothing to you -
especially server-type errors such as "Cached reload" or
similar. However, if you notice a lot of "Page Not Found"
or "404" errors listed, you may need to double-check your
site's links as something may be wrong!

"Days of the Week"
This is another useful tidbit of information as it tells
you when your site is accessed most often. It usually
includes the time of day as well. This also tells you the
best day for updates (the day before the most popular day,
obviously) and the best day to include incentives or
promotions on your site.

These simple tools and bits of information are the basics
of what you need to analyze your website's statistics and
really begin focusing your marketing efforts towards
realizing higher profits for you and a better user
experience for your site visitors.

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

A few months ago, in issue #13 (February 15, 2002), this
newsletter included an article on "Domain Name Slamming."
This is a popular term for registrars who actively send
email or postal mail advertising that your domain is about
to expire and needs to be renewed. Many times, these
letters make it sound as if your website will be lost if
you don't contact their company right away to renew the
registration on your domain name.

Well, Verisign has gone too far according to Go Daddy
Software (www.godaddy.com). In a recent press release, they
announced that they are taking the financially troubled
Verisign to court, alleging false and deceptive advertising,
among other things.

In a related note, Bob Parsons (President of Go Daddy) sent
a warning message (posted on their website) about this same
advertising coming from Register.com.

You can read these statements at
http://www.godaddy.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Readers Talk Back!
------------------------------------------------------------

"Summertime is upon us and i am looking forward to raising
my business level. your newsletter has done a lot ot get me
going! I save each issue for reference. Would you ever
consider putting together newsletters for other people?"
--Bart (http://www.Masterracks.com)

Editor: Hi again, Bart. I have considered it, yes. I
currently do another newsletter focusing on online auctions
for The Online Auction Academy
(http://www.AuctionTrainer.com). In addition, I have some
things in the works that may answer your question more
specifically! Stay tuned.

"Thanks for the great ezine every week, Aaron!"
--Bobby C. (no website address)

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
6 Reasons Why Setting Goals Doesn't Work

By Kathy Gates, Professional Life Coach, helps people set
priorities and goals, take actions, make changes, and
reshape their lives. She is the author of an Ebook and
several Email Coaching Programs available at
www.reallifecoach.com, call 480.998.5843

Editor's Comments: This is a great article about goals and
why we many times never achieve them.
------------------------------------------------------------

You're frustrated. You dutifully follow Goal Setting 101
advice, but it still seems that you lose sight of what you
want and how you'll get it. See if any of these common
goal setting mistakes - and how to correct them - are
behind your frustrations. Make the adjustment, and try
again.

1 Hung-Up-On Goals - It's easy to get plugged into a
goal, and even though it's not working, you hang on to it
out of sheer habit or willfulness. That sets you up for
procrastination and frustration. Put things into a more
simplified version by concentrating on the big picture -
the direction you want your life to go - instead of the
specific way to get there. Maybe the goal to own a
Million Dollar house is about wanting freedom and
autonomy. Maybe the goal to write a NYT bestseller is
really about wanting recognition for your talents. Focus
on the feelings that you are after instead of the one-and-
only way to get it.

2. Transparent Goals: If you examine your goals you
may find that you have no *plan* associated with your
goal. Generally the mistake here is that 'goals' and
'actions' have become confused. Instead, think Goal,
Strategy, Action. The Goal is the objective, what you
want. The Strategy is the overall way in which you'll
accomplish it. And The Action is the specific activity
that is required to achieve it (how you'll do it). Example:
You might have big picture goal of a healthier lifestyle.
The strategy associated with that might be to eat less and
exercise more. The ACTIONS might be "don't eat after
6:00 pm", and "walk 30 minutes after the 6:00 news every
weekday".

3. Contradictory Goals. This is a common mistake in
goal setting--two or more goals with opposing results.
Marriage counselors see it a lot in people who want the
benefits of being married without giving up the single
lifestyle. Or maybe you have a goal to spend more time
with your family, but you have a job you want to do well
at that require a lot of face-time. Contradictory goals
will
frustrate you to no end, because you've given yourself an
impossible task. Evaluate your goals in light of their
relationship to each other.

4. False Goals: These are goals that involve chasing
money, approval of others, etc. If you want to become a
doctor just to win the approval of your parents, that's a
false goal. If you want to be Super Mom just to please
your husband, that's a false goal. You may even succeed
at getting your degree, or being a Martha Steward
wannabe, but you'll never be happy with your decision.
It's not YOUR goal. "Shoulds" are usually someone
else's idea of a life for you. If you find that you can't
accomplish anything on your goal, it may be that it's not
an expression of the authentic you. Find the courage to
tell the truth about what you really want in your life.

5. Floating Goals - These goals are floating around in
your head, usually masquerading as a wish list. I call
these floating goals, because they're not rooted in reality.
Writing down goals (and strategies and actions) takes
them out of the *wishing* category to the "real"
category. It's no longer just a pipe dream in your head.
It's a goal, with a strategy, and actions associated with
it.
You know what you want, and you know how to get it. If
it's written down, you simply filter all decision (big and
small) through your goals.does it contribute to my goal,
or contaminate it? Example: You have a goal to write a
best selling romance novel, with a strategy of writing one
chapter each week for 36 weeks, and your action is to
spend 1 hour per day towards each chapter. If you don't
schedule - AND PROTECT - that 1 hour each day, it's
more than likely that you'll get to the end of each week
wondering why you didn't get more done.

6. Blind Goals -- No matter how nicely laid out the
goals, strategies, and actions are.if you don't SEE them
and review them, and let them become part of who and
what you are and do, on a daily basis, you'll lose track of
them. The job, the errands, the latest TV show, worrying
about money, worrying about kids, worrying about the
economy will all crowd out your time, thoughts, and
energy. They may remain in the back of your mind, but
you won't gear your life towards them. Post them on the
'fridge, in the car, on the back door, on the bathroom
mirror.anywhere that you'll see them regularly.

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2002 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:subscribe]

To unsubscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:unsubscribe]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).

------------------------------------------------------------
Aaronz WebWorkz Weekly E-Zine
A Weekly Newsletter of Hints, Ideas, and Resources for
Friends and Customers of www.AaronzWebWorkz.com
Issue #29 June 7, 2002
Aaron Turpen, Editor, aaron@aaronzwebworkz.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of the
Aaronz WebWorkz E-Zine. You are receiving this newsletter
because you requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instruct-
ions are at the end of this newsletter.
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Feature Article:
Sales Are Up, But Are You Credible?
=> From The Webmaster
=> Readers Talk Back!
=> Spotlight On: Cyber-Security: The Government vs.
Industry vs. You
=> Guest Column:
The Instant Internet
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
=> Copyright and Reprint information
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information


------------------------------------------------------------
Sales Are Up, But Are You Credible?
By Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

------------------------------------------------------------

A recent poll produced by Consumer WebWatch (a project of
the publishers of Consumer Reports magazine) shows that
although sales online are up, customer trust in websites and
e-commerce is still low. The results show that users are
more likely to trust the federal government and large
corporations than they are an e-commerce site.

Why is that? In the media and in people's minds, the ease
of being ripped off online is heightened by the continued
reports and "expose" stories produced noting how "easy" it
is to get taken advantage of online. While this has some
merit, obviously it is not as easy or as common as they say
it is. Otherwise, no one would be shopping online at all.

The survey delved a little deeper into the issues, including
search engine practices. Fully sixty percent of those
surveyed did not know that search engines regularly accept
money in return for top billing on their searches.

While they list privacy policies and practices important to
the credibility of an e-commerce site, only 35% of those
surveyed stated that they regularly read the privacy policy
posted on a site and only 22% read the "About Me" page that
usually tells about the company they're ordering from.

Basic practices are still the guide to building credibility.
Obviously, things like secure links, good service, etc. are
paramount to building credibility for yourself and your
business to customers online. Doing so can only increase
sales!

------------------------------------------------------------
From The Webmaster
by Aaron Turpen, Editor
------------------------------------------------------------

An interesting week here at Aaronz WebWorkz. At the last
minute, I flew out to the Bay Area in California. I then
drove back through Nevada to Utah. A nice drive and it was
good to go out into the world for once instead of witnessing
it through my computer monitor. :)

Last week I received several emails asking about the new
Netscape browser. I downloaded a trial copy of the test
version and gave it a try. The short article below outlines
my impression of the new software:

Reviewing Netscape 7.0
By Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz

The newest version of Netscape's browser is due out this
summer. The preview release is available to try for free
at www.netscape.com. I downloaded a copy and put it through
some paces to try it out. While somewhat impressed, overall
I found it to be too clunky and unoriginal to really be
excited about it.

To put it bluntly, Netscape's last major release (Netscape
6.0) sucks. While a few patches seem to have fixed its
major flaws, nothing can make up for the fact that this
release was just a "catch-up" to become even with
Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Comparing Explorer 6 (the latest release) with this new
Netscape offering only belabors this point. While a few
holes and problems were fixed and a couple of nifty new
options were included (my favorite being the new Download
Manager), the software is basically, again, playing catch-up
to Internet Explorer. It is still awkward to use at times,
clunky in its performance, etc. Netscape also breaks some
of their own complaints with Microsoft in their anti-trust
suits by requiring Netscape Mail and Instant Messenger to be
installed whether you want them or not.

Overall, while definitely a step forward, this version of
Netscape, in my opinion, isn't really much better than past
releases when compared with the browser's competitors -
notably Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Opera's Opera
browser. However, watch for it to gain ground in usage
since America Online has agreed to use the Mozilla engine
(the backbone of Netscape) as their next major browser
upgrade for their proprietary system - up until now they've
been using an Internet Explorer-based browser.

------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight On: Cyber-Security: The Government vs. Industry
vs. You
By Aaron Turpen of Aaronz WebWorkz
------------------------------------------------------------

In the wake of September 11, several requests and mandates
were given to various groups and industries around the
nation. Some of those groups were the telecommunications
and IT corporations that run our nation's communications
infrastructure. In an effort to prevent heavy government
mandates and requirements, IT and telecomm representatives
filed a plan with the government mid-May calling for
improved information sharing and coordination between
private and public groups.

The details of their plan and the initial reactions given to
it are outside the scope of this article. What is important
now is how this will affect you and your business both on
the Internet and off. After all, you use the telephone
system regularly to make voice, wireless, data, and other
transactions. Your future, your businesses' future, and the
future of the entire country's communications could be
affected by any decisions made in this.

For instance, one law passed by the government could require
that your cellular/wireless phone provider give access to
certain facilities or use certain technologies that are
expensive and time-consuming to initiate - a certain level
of encryption, for instance. Who will pay for that? You
will eventually.

Say there is no law passed, but the standard in the private
sector, set by a group of experts, is to require this new
technology? Same result.

Regardless of the outcome, I would suggest you stay tuned to
your news sources and watch this closely. The outcome could
mean a lot to you personally and in business. As a member
of the technology community, in your own small way, make
sure to contribute to the fray. Keep your virus definitions
up-to-date, report any holes or problems with software (no
matter how trivial) to the software's maker. Send letters
to lawmakers, colleagues, etc. to voice your opinion on
matters.

------------------------------------------------------------
Readers Talk Back!
------------------------------------------------------------
"I enjoy your newsletter every week! Your articles are
informative and very useful. Thanks!"
--Bart (www.Masterracks.com)

------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to send a comment or letter to the editor
for inclusion in this newsletter, please address it to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject=TalkBack!.
All are welcome to give their opinion, criticism, or kudos!

------------------------------------------------------------
The Instant Internet

Written by Joe Bingham of the NetPlay Newsletter
Joe is a widely published and acclaimed Internet marketing
author. His business includes doing promotional article
writing for Internet businesses and the NetPlay Newsletter
ezine.
NetPlay is: *Unique *Informative *Better
What are you missing at NetPlay today? Visit Now!
http://www.netplaynewsletters.com

------------------------------------------------------------

The Internet is suppose to be fast, right?

Everything has INSTANT Access, Quick RESPONSES,
Incredible TURNOVER!

So why is it every little thing you have to do takes
FOREVER?!!!

You sign up for Paypal so you can move money INSTANTLY!

Of course, then you have to verify your email address. Then
you have to verify your bank account. Then you have to move
money into the account and wait until that transaction is
completed.

Now, 5 days later, you can move your INSTANT Money.

Naturally, I'm glad Paypal does take these steps before I
give them any of my money. Still, what's so INSTANT about
it?

Here's another thing...

INSTANT PROFITS!
-- Make $700 your FIRST DAY!
-- INSTANT Access to our Program
-- Build a simple ONE Page Web Site in Minutes
-- Then Sit Back and Watch as the MONEY Comes In!
http://www.true-ads.com

Yeah right!

$700 your FIRST DAY? It makes it all seem so easy and quick
doesn't it?

Never mind that it takes you 8 days to find enough time to
read through all the material of the new program after
signing up, 2 days to get web hosting picked out, 32 hours
to build the simple 'one page' web site, and 7 days before
the first ezine ads start to run.

Never mind that your first ad campaign fails miserably
because of a misspelled word in the link, never mind that
the next ads fail because your 'free auto responder' shuts
you down after falsely accusing you of spamming, and never
mind that even when you do make your first commissions the
program doesn't actually cut a check for another 3 weeks.

So much for FIRST DAY riches.

Never mind all that, because after you spent 3 and 1/2
months on this program, which was actually the 4th affiliate
program you bought into, you get a check for $700 -- and it
arrives in the mail all in ONE DAY!!!

So you think to yourself...

Hmmm. I made $700 today, that's one day.
I got access to the information all at once, that's instant.
My web site is only one page, it's simple to read, and
technically I could claim it only took me 1920 Minutes to
create the site instead of 32 hours. Also, I did watch the
mailman drop the check into the box so...

You decide to run the following ad.

INSTANT PROFITS!
-- Make $700 your FIRST DAY!
-- INSTANT Access to our Program
-- Build a simple ONE Page Web Site in Minutes
-- Then Sit Back and Watch the as MONEY Comes In!
http://www.true-ads.com

------------------------------------------------------------
If you wish to send your own articles to be reviewed for
inclusion in this publication, please send them to:
mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com.
------------------------------------------------------------
Except where noted, this publication and all of its
contents are copyright (C)2002 by Aaronz WebWorkz, all
rights are reserved. To reprint an article, send an email
to mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com for permission.
------------------------------------------------------------
List Maintenance:
To subscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:subscribe]

To unsubscribe
[mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com?subject:unsubscribe]

This newsletter is produced by Aaronz WebWorkz, a complete
online services provider. To view information or to see
back issues of this publication, please go online to:
www.AaronzWebWorkz.com. Please direct all comments or
questions to the editor
(mailto:newsletter@aaronzwebworkz.com).