Digi Bits

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Reciprocal Links

One of the most important things that you can do to build an effective web site is have other web sites link to it. Reciprocal links are an easy and effective strategy to building traffic. Here are some tips on building reciprocal links.

In order to get a high page rank in a search engine such as Google, you need to have other web sites linking to yours. Google calculates how important your web page is by determining the quantity and quality of the links that you receive. There are two different types of links, reciprocal links and one way links. Reciprocal links is when you link to a web site and that web site also links back to you. This is the most popular type of linking. Many people can get great traffic by participating in a link exchange. A link exchange is a group of people that exchange links with one another.

The other type of linking is called one way linking. This is when one web site links to your site; however you do not have a link back. Google actually prefers this type of linking over reciprocal linking. However it is very difficult to get a one way link. There are two major strategies for a one way link. One is to pay for a link on another high ranking page the other is to give away something of value that includes your link.

Buying links on successful sites can be an expensive proposition. It can cost up to $100 a month or more to put just your link on a high ranked site. One of the best solutions is to give something of value away that includes your link. Articles are very popular because many people need web content. They are inexpensive to produce and can be effective at drawing one way links to your site.

Remember in today’s competitive internet environment, if you would like a successful web site, it is important to have a high page rank.

Expired Domains

Here is a great way to get a head start on delivering traffic to your web site- Expired Domains. Everyday thousands of old domains expire. Many people purchase domains only for a year or two, once there registration period is over they either forget to renew them or no longer have a need for them. Expired domains can be a great resource if you want to drive traffic to your site. Here’s how you can benefit from expired domains.

There are times that people forget to renew their domains and a valued domain expires and hits the market. If this site had other web sites linking to them, the links still stand. You can pick up the expired domain and reap the rewards of an already linked site. There is also talk in the SEO world that older sites are better then newer sites. Expert SEO’s claim that new sites are penalized by some search engines until they reach a level of maturity, some say a web site is difficult to get indexed until it is about 3 months old. Although search engines have not verified this claim, there is a lot of evidence that this scenario does exist.

It is easy to find expired domains, just do a search for the keyword expired domains and you will find plenty of listings. Many sites charge a registration fee to join. The site allows you to be some of the first to know when a valuable expired domain hits the market. There are other sites that send you free newsletters of upcoming expired domains.

So if you would like to start a website off and running, check into expired domains, you could find a real winner.

Stamp Collecting Tips

If you are new to stamp collecting and would like some information on the best ways to start collecting stamps, here are a few tips. There are two major types of stamps that people collect unused stamps and postmarked stamps. Although the majority of people enjoy the feeling of owning an expensive and rare unused stamp, postmarked stamps can be just as interesting and high in value as well.

Here are some easy ways to start a collection of postmarked stamps.

• You can start with your own mail. Everyday you receive several pieces of mail, each with a stamp on them. Just cut the stamp out carefully from the envelope and save. You will be surprised at the variety of stamps that you receive.

• Find a pen pal. It is so easy to find people that have similar interests and start corresponding with them. You might want to look for a pen pal overseas that have access to stamps that you may not. Many people who travel frequently can send you stamps from all over the world making your collection extremely varied.

• Ask friends and family members to save stamps from the mail that they receive. Don’t only collect from your pool of mail; ask your family to get involved.

You can see how easy it is to start a stamp collection, whether they are unused or postmarked, stamp collecting can be extremely interesting and fun.

Tropical Fish Tips

So you always dreamed of having a nice fish tank with beautiful tropical fish. Many people love the idea of having fish. They are easy to care for and extremely interesting to look at. If you are thinking about adding an aquarium to your home, here are some tips.

What type of fish do you want? If you prefer salt water fish, you will need a whole different aquarium set up and pump set up than a normal tropical fish aquarium. Salt water aquariums require more expertise and time to care for the fish. Salt water fish are also much more expensive, usually over $100 per fish. If you are just starting out, it may be best to start with fresh water fish and learn the basics before moving on.

Fresh water fish come in many different varieties and are beautiful to look at. Aquarium set up is easy. However it is important to note that even though they are fresh water fish, normal tap water won’t due. Fish need a certain ph balance in their water supply, so before you drop your fish in the aquarium, make sure the ph balance is correct.

You will also want to make sure that the fish that you purchase are all compatible. You don’t want to put two kinds of fish that will fight with one another all the time and you definitely don’t want to put fish in that other fish consider prey. It is also important that you choose fish that are free from disease, because they can contaminate your entire aquarium.

Web Statistics

If you own a web site, it is important to know how many people are visiting your site and where are they originating from. There are many web statistics programs on the market, but did you know that some of the best programs already come free with most web hosting plans.

If you have a web hosting plan for your web site that includes cpanel, then you probably have a whole bunch of web statistic programs built in. Cpanel is a type of control panel for web hosting products. It is extremely easy to use and offered to administrate your web site. There are usually 3 different types of statistics you will find on cpanel; Analog, Webalizer and Awstats.

Webalizer is a statistic program that shows you in a graph form how many visitors have visited your site month by month. This type of statistics is very basic and only takes a quick glance to receive your web site information. If you want more detailed information you will probably need to check out the other two statistic programs.

Depending on your information style you may prefer Analog or Awstats. Analog gives you detailed information, however it can be at times difficult to read. All the information you probably like to know is listed on Analog, but most people have difficulty finding it.

Awstats, is usually the favorite web site statistic program on cpanel. Not only does it tell you plenty of information, from number of hits per day and month, it also tells you where they originate from, how long visitors stayed at your site, what country did they come from, what browser did they use, their IP’s etc. It is also simple to read and find the information the information that you are looking for.

So if you have a web site and would like to know more about your visitors check out your cpanel statistic programs. They can be extremely helpful in analyzing your site and drawing more traffic to it.

The Importance of Page Rank

If you are new to Search engine optimization and would like your web site to be indexed into Google’s pages quickly, then here is a few tips.

Many people are unaware of page rank. Page rank is one of the ways that Google ranks your pages. Although your web content and meta tags are important, it is also important that other sites link to yours. The more sites that link to you, the higher your page rank goes. You just don’t want any sites linking to you, as an SEO, you would prefer, other high ranking sites that are on a similar topic to link to you.

The higher the page rank, the higher you will show up on Google and the more traffic you will receive. The best way to get indexed is to find a high ranking site with a page rank of six or higher and request a link exchange with that site.

If your web site is linked to a site with a page rank of six or higher, you can be indexed into Google within 48 hours. If you are lucky to find a site with a page rank of 7 or higher, you can be indexed in less than a day.

Page Rank is one of the most efficient ways to get your site indexed, so make sure to take advantage of this great tip.

Tips on Adopting a Dog

If you are a dog lover then you know that there are few things more satisfying than having a pet for the family. But, having a dog is not for everyone, many people rush into it not knowing what it entails. Here are some tips before you decide to adopt a dog.

Do you have enough room for a dog? Many people in small apartments or homes may not have enough room for a dog, especially if it is a large dog. If you have a one room studio and would like to adopt a German shepherd, the studio may be a little too small for the both of you. Many apartment dwellers prefer smaller dogs that don’t require lots of space to move around.

Are you or your family able to give your dog enough attention? Dogs need interaction almost as much as people. If you lock your dog in the garage all day and visit him for 15 minutes before and after work, your dog will be depressed or worse very angry. It is important that just like a child you are able to spend time with your dog, make sure it goes to the bathroom regularly and gets enough healthy exercise.

Another important fact to consider is what kind of dog you would like. Different types of dogs have different personality. For instance some dogs are made for hunting and like to be outside in nature. Other dogs, like to be in a comfortable home with little activity. Depending on your personality, you should find a similar companion. Make sure that you and your dog are compatible.

By following the above tips, you will enjoy many years to come with man’s best friend.

Get Rid of Fleas

If you have a dog or cat, than you know sometimes he likes to bring some annoying friends home with him. Fleas are not necessarily dangerous, but highly annoying. They can bite humans and cause great discomfort, usually through out the night. If you think you have fleas, here are some tips to get rid of them.

First you must wash your pet with special shampoo that will kill the fleas. Although your dog or cat may now be clean, fleas can be living in your carpets, drapes and furniture. Your next step is to thoroughly vacuum your house. Most pest control experts agree that a thorough vacuuming is necessary. After you have vacuumed the house dispose of the vacuum bags immediately. You don’t want any fleas to escape.

Wash your linens and bed sheet in hot water to kill any fleas or eggs that remain alive. This will ensure you of a good nights sleep without the bites. Many people also buy an indoor fogger. These flea bombs kill fleas that are left in the room. They are relatively inexpensive and safe. Just remember to follow the directions and air out the room when finished.

So if you got fleas take action and get rid of them not only for your pet but for a good night sleep.

The Best Ways to Get Reciprocal Links

You have probably heard how important links are to building a successful web site, but what is the best strategy for asking another website if they would like to link with you. Here are two main strategies that are popular, link exchanges and sending out personalized emails.

Link exchanges are groups of people that trade links with one another. This is a great strategy, because everyone that participates wants to trade links. Most link exchanges are inexpensive or free. A web site owner is allowed to pick and choose which site they would like to link with, they can also decline any request to link.. Many people have great results from link exchanges and are extremely popular within the SEO community.

Another way to gain valuable links is through a personalized email. If you see a site that you would like to link with, then contact the site directly. It is important to contact the site professionally. With so much spam these days, many people don’t read email that comes from someone they don’t know. Make sure when writing your email that your email doesn’t look like spam. Don’t choose an email title that seems like your trying to sell something like “Great Linking Offer” Most people will skip over these types of titles. Choose something smart. You also want to personalize the content of the email as well, stating within the email that you saw their site and liked it- giving details of the site. Make sure the URL that you would like to link with is easy to spot and read. Don’t hide your URL in the corner of the email.

Using these strategies will draw a higher page rank and more traffic to your site which can translate into profit. So go ahead and participate in reciprocal links.

Coin Collecting; A Rewarding Hobby

Many people as children have seen their fathers or relatives coin collection and were amazed. Today, you are probably asking yourself, I wonder what those coins are worth. Coin collecting is as popular as ever, not only are people able to find those elusive and highly impressive coins that were difficult to track down years ago, today with the internet and auction sites you can track down coins, compare prices, and analyze the market with ease.

If you decide to start a hobby in coin collecting, remember you are collecting valuable artifacts, so make sure you do your research and understand the value of an item and how much that item may fetch in the future. You might also want to specialize in certain types of coins. They can be domestic coins, world coins, silver coins, gold coins etc. There are so many different categories to keep you interested you won’t ever have to worry about becoming bored.

Many people collect coins not only for the enjoyment but also for the investment value. They see it as a hobby that they can pass down from one generation to another. Your hobby might even come in handy one day to pay for college or a down payment on a house.

So if you are thinking about a hobby that can last for generations, consider coin collecting a wise investment.

Travel Insurance

If you are about to spend a lot of money for a vacation, then you want some piece of mind that if anything goes wrong you will be covered. Many people are turning towards travel insurance. Travel insurance has increased in the last few years as more people are made aware of the difficulties that can occur while traveling.

Travel insurance can be a helpful tool if you planning an expensive vacation. Most travel insurance plans normally protect you against lost luggage and cancelled flights, or if you are sick and unable to travel, however many plans also include protection for other valuable options as well.

A valuable option to have is if you become ill on your trip, you will be covered for medical expenses in your host country. This is extremely important because some healthcare plans do not cover illnesses abroad. Most plans also include evacuation. This means that if you get sick in a foreign country and you are unable to get the proper medical treatment, the insurance company will transport you back home. This protection can be extremely important saving the insured thousands of dollars.

Most travel insurance plans are relatively cheap, many of them depending on your age and length of your trip are less than $100 per person. So, if you want to be safe and not worry about what can go wrong, get travel insurance and think about enjoying your vacation.

A Great Way to Trade Internationally

If you have an online web site or sell on Ebay, you know that it can be difficult to find the right items to sell and even harder to find those items at the right price. Well here is a service that can make those difficulties go away. International Trade sites are the answer to finding some of the best items at the lowest prices.

International trade sites connect you the buyer with manufacturers from all over the world. Many manufacturers are trying to contact sellers here in the United States to buy their products. Many sellers use these international trade sites. One of the most common trade site is called Alibaba.com. It connects buyers and sellers from all over the world. There are hundreds of thousands of items being sold on their web site everyday.

The internet has made it so easy to do business across the globe. Many big sellers on the internet get their product from overseas manufacturers for pennies on the dollar that you pay for them. There are huge profits to be made if you can find the right product at the right price. With online payment and shipment tracking options, it has become much easier to send money and get details about your shipments so you don’t have to worry about lost goods. If you’re looking for a great way to increase your profits, take a look at international trading sites.

Be an EBay Powerseller

If you already sell your products online at EBay or are thinking of starting an Ebay account, becoming a Powerseller on EBay may boost your sales. Many people like to buy from reputable sellers, whether it is an independent web site or an auction site. People try to find the sellers that have a great track record and high customer satisfaction. Ebay Powerseller program is designed to let customers know that a particular seller has a great record.

According to Ebay, powersellers are their best sellers, because they have at least a 98% positive feedback rating and sell a specific amount of items each month. While it is not that difficult to have a 98% positive rating, it does reassure you that the seller is not a fraud or trying to scam you out of your money. Becoming a Powerseller is by invitation only. While it is not terribly exclusive, you do have to retain a good level of satisfaction. There are other services that are available specifically to Powersellers, such as premium labeling showing buyers that you are a Powerseller, special forums to find quality information and special customer service numbers to contact Ebay if you are experiencing technical or customer related issues.

If you would like to be a Powerseller the best way to acquire this prestigious lable is to make sure you have an extremely high positive rating (over 98%) and sell enough items each month. If you follow these tips, hopefully you will receive an email in a few months welcoming you into the club.

What You Need to Know to Get a United States Passport

If you are an American Citizen and thinking about traveling abroad, then you’ll need to obtain a United States Passport. Don’t worry if you would like to travel to Mexico or Canada, you only need a valid driver’s license. However, if you travel to any other country, the odds are you will be required to carry a passport; here are some great tips on obtaining your passport quick and easy.

You can apply for a US passport at your local post office. Many post offices offer passport services. They will have all the forms that are necessary for you to fill out and will be able to help you throughout the entire passport process.

In order to obtain a passport you must complete the DS-11 form and include proof of US citizenship (usually in the form of a birth certificate), proof of identity (usually a valid drivers license) and two recent color photos (2 X 2 inches). Just submit these materials along with your application and a fee of $97.

It usually takes about six weeks for your passport to be processed. You can purchase expedited service which is $60 more. Expedited passports are processed within three workdays of receipt at the passport agency.

So if you are looking to travel overseas, obtain a passport, it is quick and easy.

Adding Newsfeeds to your Web Site

Looking to spice up your web site? Many web designers like to constantly add new content to their web sites to keep their web pages fresh and their web visitors interested. One great idea that many web designers have been moving towards in the past several months are RSS newsfeeds.

RSS stands for really simple syndication and is an internet distribution method for sending information to thousands of other web sites at one time. Just like a television show, you can broadcast to many web sites at once. Many people like to sign up for newsfeeds because the news is always changing and that means fresh content daily or sometimes even hourly.

All the main news websites have RSS newsfeeds, however there are some restrictions on using there services depending if your site is a commercial site or not. It is relatively easy to set up an RSS newsfeed, but since each feed can have different specifications, it is important on reading the installation literature to make sure that the feed is installed properly.

Most RSS feeds are in either java or php code. Depending on the purpose of your web site, you may want to consider which code you choose. If you are building a RSS newsfeed for a non-profit site, then java code is acceptable. If you decide to build a RSS newsfeed to rank higher in the search engines and profit off the visitors, then it is important to use php code. Php code can be seen by the search engine spiders where java code can not.

So if you’re looking for a great way to add excitement to your web site, add a RSS newsfeed.

Watch TV on Your Computer

If you are looking for even more entertainment options for your computer, you can now add television to this mix. Television shows can now be seen either live or prerecorded with special internet services directly on your computer screen. This is great for people that either don’t have room for a TV or are on the road often. If you are interested in watching television on your computer, here is how to do it.

There are two ways to watch TV on your computer, one is with the use of a television card, the other is by downloading it off the internet. If you prefer to watch cable TV on your computer, you can purchase a computer TV card and easily attach it to your computer. You can watch your cable programs directly on your computer screen. Many cards allow you to record the television shows similar to like a Tivo product.

If you would like to download television shows, there are a few companies that offer you legal downloads of television programs. Many downloads are free, while a few services require a subscription fee. Some services are inexpensive; under $40 for the year, other subscription services can be much more or depend on what programs are downloaded. If you download TV programs a high speed modem is necessary. Video files are much larger than music files many people are familiar with.

So if you would like to watch TV on your computer, check out some these services that send you TV on demand.

Visiting New York

If you are looking for a great travel destination, New York should at the top of your list. New York has so much to offer such as museums, theater, great restaurants and plenty of attractions. Whether it is fall, winter, spring or summer, it is always a great time to visit New York. Here are some great places to see in New York.

The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in the world and an American Icon. It is a great edifice to see. You can go to the top of the building and look out at the wonderful city skyline.

Rockefeller center during Christmas is absolutely wonderful. With some of the tallest Christmas trees in the world lit up in the center of town for all the city to enjoy. Don’t forget the Rockettes at the annual Christmas Spectatcular show. These two events alone make New York one of the best places to visit for the holidays.

The Museum of Natural History, is one top museums in the world. You will be amazed at the towering dinosaurs put together bone by bone, these dinosaurs are part of the largest prehistoric displays on earth. The Museum of Natural History continues to put awe in children’s and adults faces.

Times Square is the crossroads of the universe. No matter what time it is, there is always something going on in the city that never sleeps. So if you are thinking of going to a city with a lot of energy and its own personality, choose New York, you will not be disappointed.

Types of Olive Oil

If you love gourmet cooking, then you probably cook with olive oil. To most great chefs, olive oil offers the best tasting and highest quality oils on the market. There are three different types of olive oil sold today. Most cooking fanatics enjoy their olive oil just like they enjoy their wine.

The three types of olive oil are Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Virgin Olive Oil, and Pure Olive Oil.

Extra virgin olive oil is based on acid content and does not necessary determine the quality of the oil. Extra virgin olive oil is made from green olives and has an acidity level of less than 1%.

Virgin olive oil is also made from green olives an acidity level of 1.5%. Believe it or not, that is all that separates these two types of names- the level of acidity.

Pure olive oil is also made from green olives and is commercial grade. Where the other oils are pressed this oil is made by refining the entire olive including the pits.

To those who love to cook and are looking for the perfect olive oil, it is important to experiment and do some research on the best types of oils available. As with wine, the taste can be complicated at times and you may find that you are using different oils for different dishes. Bon Appetite.

Customize Your Car with High Performance Brake Rotors

Looking for some stopping power, take a look at premium customized Brake Rotors. Many people enjoy customizing their car, fitting it with unique and higher quality parts. Sometimes the factory components that come with your auto are of decent quality but not up to your driving specification. If your driving requires premium stopping power, than you probably want to look into customizing your car with high performance brake rotors.

What is the difference between factory rotors and high performance brake rotors? Standard rotors are usually heavier and made from materials that do not dissipate heat well. Heat is caused by friction, the less heat that is produced, the quicker your car will stop. You want to look for materials such as ceramics that have extremely high thresholds for temperature. Many high performance rotors are slotted, meaning they have small vents on them dissipate the heat further. Not only are high performance rotors made of better materials they are designed better and should last just as long or longer as standard rotors.

Many people usually have to replace their rotors every few years, but some high performance rotors can last the life of the car. Most performance rotors will fit in your budget. They are not overly expensive and are definitely worth their value. They are also a breeze to install. So if you are looking for premium stopping power look into high performance brake rotors.

Treatments for Acne Scarring

Acne affects millions of Americans each year. Many people have the common pimple or breakout, but for a few of the unlucky acne sufferers, acne can cause scarring. Acne scarring usually happens in severe acne cases.

There are three types of common acne scarring. Keloids, which are caused by your body creating excess tissue. The other two common scars are caused by the loss of tissue. They include Ice pick scars and Depressed fibrotic scars.

Keloids resemble small bubbles on the skin due to collagen. Collagen is a substance created within the skin. Collagen is the natural response to skin injuries, but too much collagen can cause bubbles on the surface. Keloids are known to fade as time goes by.

Ice pick scars are the most common scars due to loss of tissue. They resemble jagged holes in the skin, just like an ice pick would make. Most of these scars can be found on the cheeks.

Depressed fibrotic scarring are small craters formed on the face. These scars come in various sizes and are due to a loss of tissue in the face. They are also common in the cheeks of individuals. Depressed fibrotic scars can become Ice pick scars over time.

If you are experiencing acne scarring, consult your dermatologist on treatments available to rid your face of acne and clear your scarring.