CO Domain Extension

GoDaddy has a one week deal for a co domain at a price of just $9.49 until 7 PM Central time on June 6th. You can get as many as you like. That is 68% off the regular $30 price.

Visit godaddy here and use the .co domain coupon code: dotco949 for $9.49 .co domains.

The last .co coupon was available for a month and was for $10.49, this is obviously a better coupon but only available for a week.


Top 10 Online Shopping Days

Top 10 Ecommerce Days
The numbers are in Millions, starting with 1 Billion on November 29, 2010. Unbelievable. Six of the top ten days are in 2010. This is as of the writing of this article December 14, 2010 and the year is not over yet.

Number 10 was Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 (Green Monday) with $881 MM. This dropped off the list on Monday December 13th, 2010. Ironically the day that pushed it off the list was another Green Monday which made the number 2 spot with $954 Million. Online ecommerce is through the roof.

1.    Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 (Cyber Monday)    $1,028 MM
2.    Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 (Green Monday)     $954 MM
3.    Monday, Dec. 6, 2010    $943 MM
4.    Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009    $913 MM
5.    Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010    $911 MM
6.    Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010    $901 MM
7.    Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010    $898 MM
8.    Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2008    $887 MM
9.    Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 (Cyber Monday)    $887 MM
10.    Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009    $886 MM


.ORG .NET Domains Just $7.49 up to 50% Off

.ORG Domain Registrations
I have heard that .ORG domain registrations are restricted to non-commercial entities. That is not true. Anyone can register a .ORG domain. It is derived from the word organization (there is my first obvious fact of this post – you are welcome) There was an original set of domains established which included: .org .net .com .edu .gov .mil. You can read all about the .org background on Wikipedia.

.NET Domain Registrations
The .NET domains have a similar history as the .ORGs, you can read all about the .org background on Wikipedia. There are no restrictions on it’s registration either. The .NET was derived from the term Network (Thought I would insult your intelligence a second time – again you’re welcome).

50% Discount
At GoDaddy you can use the coupon code FAN749 for $7.49 .ORG and .NET domains. For the .ORG that is a 50% Savings. You can also find a complete list of coupons here. And .biz are on sale for $7.49 with the same coupon.

$1.99 Domain with Hosting

You can obtain a years worth of hosting as well as a .COM domain registration for under $50. By using the coupon FAN20 you will obtain both for $47.07.

GoDaddy Hosting
To utilize the coupon simply choose hosting – Start Here (a new window will open) – and then choose a domain. Choose either the Economy or the WordPress Economy if you would like WordPress pre-installed and add to your cart. Next find the .COM domain you would like and add it to your cart as well. If the total is $47.07 then the code has been applied, see the image to the right. If not, then put in the code FAN20 into the promotional area and click to apply the code.

$1.99 Domain
godaddy_dealBy using the promo code you can obtain a domain for just $1.99. Normally a domain is $10.49 and with a coupon $7.49. However with this deal you get a $10.49 domain for $1.99 and still receive the 20% off hosting.

Google AdWords Bid Simulator

The Google AdWords bid simulator is quite impressive. This was a tool that until recently was in beta. You use the tool within your AdWords account. The Bid Simulator is different than the keyword tool that Google offers to suggest other keywords and give you an idea of traffic as well as competition.

What Bid Simulator Does
Assuming you have a keyword for one of your campaigns within AdWords you can try the simulator. Not all of the keywords will have the simulator option but if you see the icon next to the cost per click that you are bidding you will be able to try it. Essentially you can determine the amount of traffic you can expect to receive for a particular keyword without having to raise your bid and spend the extra money. Take a look at this image. You can see that the current bid for “play game” is $0.20 and the estimated impressions, clicks and cost may also be shown.

google_bid_simulator

The image does not show the estimated clicks or cost as this was a test account. This simulator is based on estimates, however read more to understand why it is so powerful.

Power of Bid Simulator
The bid simulator is very powerful. However first realize the estimates it provides are estimates of what would of happened in the past. In other words I had checked to look at the dates between 10/3/09 and 10/9/09. If the bids had been increased to the CPC amounts you see in the image then the simulator provides the estimated cost and clicks you would have received during that time period.

For those who are stock analysts you will know the phrase “past performance does not predict future behavior“. Therefore the simulator does not predict the future but gives you a pretty good idea.

Typically you would have to spend the money by bidding higher to determine the impact of the bidding. This is extremely valuable information at your fingertips available without having to spend the additional money before knowing the results.

How to Use the Bid Simulator
To use the bid simulator you choose the Keywords tab in AdWords. Next look at the maximum CPC column with your maximum bids. If there is a small blue icon you can click it to see the image as you see above. Not all of your bids will have the simulator but many will.


Top Twitter Tools

Twitter Tools
Below is a list of various tools for twitter, there are many many more. Please add your comments with tools you use. This list is meant to cover as many utilities as possible. A special thank you to the twitter users that gave me their recommendations, a list is at the end.

Table of Contents

Desktop Applications for Twitter
twitter seesmic Seesmic

allows monitoring of multiple accounts, both on Twitter and Facebook.

twitter twhirl Twhirl

allows monitoring of multiple Twitter accounts.

twitter snitter Snitter

Snitter is an application for twittering. It is built on the Adobe AIR platform. Features such as easily viewing recent items, replies, direct messages, views, filtering information and more. Snitter works on both Mac OSX and Windows.

twitterific Twitterriffic

For Mac OS.

MadTwitter MadTwitter

MadTwitter is an application that run on Windows. MadTwitter is based on Twitterrific, which lets you publish your own twits and read twits written by your friends. The best part about MadTwitter is that it is very easy to use. All you have to do is just register an account at Twitter and download MadTwitter.

Spaz Spaz

Spaz is an interesting social media tool that has been written using Javascript, HTML and CSS.
As of now the desktop’s source code is hosted at GitHub and you might not want to use the issue tracker anymore,
but instead file your issues at help.getspaz.com. If you are a developer then you can file issues at spaz.lighthouseapp.com.

TweetDeck Tweetdeck

TweetDeck is a Twitter application that interfaces with the Twitter API to allow those who are logged in not only send and receive tweets, but also view other profiles. TweetDeck when compared to other Twitter applications, it is one of the most popular Twitter application.
TweetDeck was bought by Twitter on May 25, 2011.

Twitter Organization
TweetDeck Tweet
Deck

TweetDeck is a Twitter application that interfaces with the Twitter API to allow those who are logged in not only send and receive tweets, but also view other profiles. TweetDeck when compared to other Twitter applications, it is one of the most popular Twitter application.
TweetDeck was bought by Twitter on May 25, 2011.

TweetMixx TweetMixx

UberMedia has of now acquired TweetMixx. UberMedia is a parent company to social media tools like Echofon, UberSocial, and Twidroyd. UberMedia is run by rock stars who are determined to help
keep rock music live on the planet. As you know TweetMixx is evolving, Mixx Classic has been taken off the internet for some time.

Twitscoop Twitscoop

Twitscoop is a Twitter application that allows users not only to send and receive tweets, but perform multiple real time searches simultaneously.
The advantage of having Twitscoop is that it detects the growing trends and monitors specific keywords along with graphs on Twitter. The social media tool also provides an API for third party applications like Tweetdeck.

Manage Multiple Twitter Accounts
Splitweet Splitweet

Splitweet is a Twitter application tool that aids those who use Twitters having multiple Twitter accounts and monitor their blogs.
This in turn allows Twitter users to manage their accounts easily. Those who are from the corporate world will find this social media tool easy to use.

Twitter for Companies
CoTweet CoTweet

CoTweet is a social media management tool that can help mid size companies track and analyze what others think about their company brand on both Facebook and Twitter.
Their is two kinds of CoTweet namely CoTweet Enterprise Edition and CoTweet Standard Edition.
As of now CoTweet has been purchased by ExactTarget in March 2010, and now operates the ExactTarget Social Media Lab based in San Francisco.

Twibs Twibs

Twibs is an ideal place to businesses on twitter. Consumers would find it easy to find the business that they are looking for both on a local and national level.
Since Twibs collects information from Twitter, information of Twitter users will get updated.

GroupTweet GroupTweet

GroupTweet allows Twitter users to form like minded groups so that users can communicate with like minded individuals. Using the direct message feature that is already present in Twitter, users can send a private message to another user.
GroupTweet is best used for link sharing groups and taxi cab driver networks.

Firefox Plugins
Twitbin Twitbin

Twitbin allows uses to keep their Twitter conversations on their browser sidebar. Right from send messages, receive messages, share links, and others can be kept and accessed easily thanks to Twitbin.
Twitbin is a firefox extension which means it is more convenient for users to work on.

Twitterfox Twitterfox

Twitter users can use TwitterFox to update their twitter status even while browsing and is an extension for Mozilla FireFox browser. Not to mention that you can also reply, favorites and retweet without must fuss. This social media tool lets users get links of the webpage currently being browsed.
Users can add multiple twitter accounts and toggle between them easily on Twitterfox.

Send to Twitter using Voice
Twitter Fone Twitter Fone

TwitterFone can be accessed from mobile phones easily to update Twitter feeds using the user’s voice. This tool is a unique service as users can send tweets by talking directly on the mobile phone.
The message is sent as a Tweet. The best part about this social media tool is that one need not have only a smart phone to access TwitterFone, it can be done from any mobile phone.

Blackberry Client
TwitterBerry TwitterBerry

TwitterBerry is a mobile client that can help users post updates on BlackBerry mobile phones. Those of you who own BlackBerry mobile phones can have more fun using this useful media tool. If you are a hardcore Twitter user, then this social media tool is a must have and it is simple to learn.

iPhone Twitter Apps
Tweetie for iPhone Tweetie for iPhone

Tweetie can be accessed by those who own the iPhone and iPod Touch. This Twitter application has interesting features that allows registering with multiple applications. Once logged in, users can use the tweets, replies, messages, and favorites to access what they want to. Tweetie’s current version for iPhone is Twitter 3.0.

Twinkle for iPhone Twinkle for iPhone

Twinkle for iPhone is a social application for iPod Touch and iPhone which comes with the
game Tap Tap Revenge. Twinkle can be found on Installer.app. Twinkle lets users to add the iPhone’s location on their tweets using the ‘near me’ feature that can show tweets from individuals within few miles.

Twitter for iPhone Twitter for iPhone

According to statistics, after Twitter.com and mobile.twitter.com, Twitter for iPhone is the third popular application. With features like uploading photos using the camera button in the toolbar, finding friends on Twitter can be found out through contacts on the iPhone, sharing links, and improved speed and accuracy.

Hahlo Hahlo

Click on sign in with twitter to open the halo application

Pocket Tweets Pocket Tweets

Pocket Tweets is a web based Twitter client that can be used on iPhone to view the latest tweets from contacts or update the user’s status remotely. This Windows mobile application helps users update their Twitter account using data connection. The following can be done using this social media tool:

• Twitpic support
• Saving tweets
• Friend view
• Replies
• Account settings

Tweet Deck Tweet Deck

TweetDeck is a Twitter application that interfaces with the Twitter API to allow those who are logged in not only send and receive tweets, but also view other profiles. TweetDeck when compared to other Twitter applications, it is one of the most popular Twitter application.
TweetDeck was bought by Twitter on May 25, 2011.

Twitter on any Mobile device
tinytwitter Tiny Twitter

Those who like tweeting from their mobile devices would like to use Tiny Twitter. Usually when tweeting with mobile phones, users get stuck during updates with the continuously arriving SMS. This is Java enabled phone support that can work on any Windows mobile pocket or Smart phone. This social media tool allows users to change fonts and update intervals.

Twitter Mobile Twitter Mobile

Twitter Mobile is the latest version of Twitter for iPhone. This software uses HTML5 and the latest web technologies which can be found on Android and iOS applications. Users can check their Twitter feed and direct messages through the top of the screen.

iTweet iTweet

iTweet helps users to access the internet using the twitter web interface auto refresh. With the auto refresh function, users can perform functions that include built in auto refresh, view user bio, find locations, URL in line with tweets, view conversations with ‘in reply to’ links, integrated Twitter Search in the sidebar, update profile information, shortens URL, and re tweet option.

twibble twibble

Twibble is a Java based S60 client which keeps track of the posting and aids create own posts from the mobile phone. The data connection can be in the form of GPRS, 3G or Wifi. Users can choose to update whenever they want to. Twibble can be selected through the menu and messages can be posted.

Twitter on Windows Mobile
Pocket Twit Pocket Twit

The software uses standard windows mobile notifications can give new messages and new friend status updates. PocketTwit uses the standard notification system to inform the user of changes in pocket PC devices. Users need to choose settings from the Windows mobile start menu, click the sounds & notifications, and click on the notifications tab.
Two kinds of notifications can be done using Pocket Twit that includes PockeTwit Friends Updates and Pocket Twit Messages. Both the notifications allow you to send messages in different settings.

Post via Mobile
Twitterscan Twitterscan

Through TwitterMail users can get email updates from their friends and be able to post directly to their Twitter email account. Once registered users will get a secret email address to send messages to Twitter. They will have to make sure to leave the subject line blank so that they can regularly post.
Interested features include posting updates to Twitter account using via email and receive messages from Twitter followers via email.

Send via eMail
Twittermail Twittermail

Through TwitterMail users can get email updates from their friends and be able to post directly to their Twitter email account. Once registered users will get a secret email address to send messages to Twitter. They will have to make sure to leave the subject line blank so that they can regularly post. Interested features include posting updates to Twitter account using via email and receive messages from Twitter followers via email.

Counter to show followers
Twitter Counter Twitter Counter

TwitterCounter is a software that can track users and provides statistics to interested individuals. A button that displays the number of followers of users can be displayed on Twitter. The TwitterCounter button links user’s personal statistics page on Twittercounter.com.

Enhance your Tweets
Twitter Keys Twitter Keys

With TwitterKeys, users can bring in the expressive characters and unicode symbols which can be included in emails and blog posts. Operating systems like Mac and Windows provide access to character pallette on Mac and character map on Windows. TwitterKeys is a browser bookmarket that can help users to find characters for quick Twitter messages.

Follow Tools (unFollow, Recommend, etc.)
Twitter Snooze Twitter Snooze
Qwitter Qwitter

Qwitter is software that can track tweeps that unfollow Twitter users. User’s followers are monitored using Qwitter, which then sends users email notifications when they find others trying to follow them. Some of the Twitter related applications include TweetSaver and Floxee.
Velocis has acquired Qwitter.com.

Twitterless Twitterless
Friend or Follow Friend or Follow

Using the Friend or Follow social media tool, users can manage their Twitter contacts. The Twitter screen name has to be submitted to find who is following that is not following back and who’s following that users are not following back. This software enables users to manage their twitter contacts.

Mr. Tweet Mr. Tweet

Recommendations

Tweepler Tweepler

Tweepler is an exciting Twitter application where users can decide on their followers. When Twitter users find it difficult to finalize their followers, Tweepler provides them an interface that divides followers into unprocessed followers. Twitter users can divide their followers into two lists as ‘Follow’ or ‘Ignore’ list.

Top Twitter Lists
Twitter Counter Top 100 List Twitter Counter Top 100 List

Not a social medial tool.

twInfluence Top 50 List twInfluence Top 50 List
Visual Map of Twitter Posts
Twitter Vision Twitter Vision

Twittervision is an application program interface that helps Twitter users to publish. This application aids people to work using Twittervision and Twittermap with the location based information that is available.

Share Files, Pictures & Videos
Tweetcube Tweetcube

Files

Twitpic Twitpic

TwitPic is a social media tool that helps users post pictures easily on their accounts. This interesting social media service is mostly used by journalists to upload pictures almost simultaneously when the sport or event is taking place. As of now Photobucket is in partnership with Twitter as the photo sharing application.

Visual Twitter Visual Twitter

Pics

Twixxer Twixxer

Not a social medial tool

Share Info from Webpages
Tweet All About It Tweet All About It
Monitor for Keywords & Whats Hot
PeopleBrowsr PeopleBrowsr

Filter, Sort, Follow, Post, Repeat

Tweet Grid

With TweetGrid helps users with instant real-time searching which is what many people want. This software arranges real time searches as a customizable grid and the best part about TweetGrid is that users don’t have to log in to access search boxes. This is a free service which requires users to only login through the TweetGrid dashboard.

Monitter Monitter

Monitter is a search engine that operates on Twitter. It is similar to that of TweetDeck as the software displays three constantly updated keyword searches parallel to each other. This helps the users to keep track of what they are searching on Twitter.

Twitscoop Twitscoop
Flaptor Twitter Search Flaptor Twitter Search
Twitspy Twitspy

Twitspy or Twit SPY is an application program interface that shows tweets in real time. Users would love the fact that the tweets are marked on a Google Map which shows the location of the tweet. One could call this a Twitter public Google maps in real time.

Tweetscan Tweetscan

TweetScan helps Twitter users to search for information. It is also an ideal method to find out whether other users have written something similar. Using this software, users can also keep a check on the keywords they choose which will be emailed regularly. Users who like to join groups would find Tweet Scan useful as one can easily find other users with similar interests.

CityTweets CityTweets

CityTweets is a network of individual pages that track real time activity on Twitter in cities. The software is useful for listing Tweets about that area. Users can utilize this tool to find out how much activity is going on Twitter using CityTweets.

Tweet Cloud Tweet Cloud

Tweet Cloud is a social media service that helps users to bring out exciting looking words which can be tweeted. This application shows users major words that have being used in recent tweets by users. The beauty about Tweet Cloud is that it a 3D rotating bag of tweets that helps users learn new words or phrases.

Tweetbeep Tweetbeep

Tweetbeep notifies Twitter users through e mail when their name, company name or website gets tweeted. Though users use TinyURL, which shortens the website, this free service can identify it. Users can get an RSS feed for each alert. If users want better service, then they upgrade their account.

Monitor Conversations
Tweet 2 Tweet Tweet 2 Tweet
Twitalks Twitalks

Find out what two users are saying about you

Monitor Trends
Twist Twist

Not a social medial tool

Tweet Cloud Tweet Cloud

Tweet Cloud is a social media service that helps users to bring out exciting looking words which can be tweeted. This application shows users major words that have being used in recent tweets by users. The beauty about Tweet Cloud is that it a 3D rotating bag of tweets that helps users learn new words or phrases.

Autoresponder & Automatic Tweets
Tweet Later Tweet Later

TweetLater lets users send tweets on schedule, but also has included the ability to automate reciprocal follows. If users are following someone else, then that someone else can follow those users automatically. As of now TweetLater.com is SocialOomph.com.

Future Tweets Future Tweets

FutureTweets.com lets users schedule their messages on Twitter. They can send it at a specific time like daily, weekly or even monthly. This is a nice way to remember something or wish somebody on their birthday. Users use Future Tweets because they can send status updates to Twitter even when they are away from their computers, automatically wish friends a good day, and remind users every Friday to quit work early.

Autopost your Blog entries to Twitter
Twitterfeed Twitterfeed

The Twitter feed is a Word Press plugin that lets users output others Tweets into their own Word Press blog. Twitterfeed can be installed through the following steps:
• The plugin can be downloaded directly from the Plugin page
• The plugin folder must be downloaded to the webpage /wp-content/plugins/ folder
• Access the plugin page and activate
• Finally the shortcode must be inserted

Evaluate your Twitter Profile
Twitter Grader Twitter Grader

Twitter Grader is a Twitter ranking tool that measures the influence of a social media website for both serious and casual users. This ranking tool is not only useful for users, but also useful for Twitter. It helps users know the rankings of various programs on Twitter.

Twitter Ratio Twitter Ratio

Twitter Ratio is a free service that determines what kind of person you are just by the number of followers you have. Though many users on Twitter have thousands of followers, it need not indicate that the individual is intelligent than users who have few hundred followers. This service provides you results based on the quality of your followers.

Tweet Value Tweet Value

Tweet Value values your Twitter page based on your profile. It decides that on what you have posted on your Twitter profile page by breaking down locations and information. Based on this the score is calculated.

Twitter Statistics and Graphs
Tweetstats

Tweetstats provides users statistics on your Twitter usage. Heavy Twitter users might find this tool useful as they can find out how many tweets they send per hour, how many tweets they send per month, their tweet timeline, and reply statistics. All the tweets come in the form of graphs.

Twitgraph Twitgraph

Twit Graph provides users a graph on their activities on Twitter. It provides users with total number of tweets users have written in one week, a list of users mentioned, and the applications that were used by the user to tweet like TweetDeck or Tweetmeme.

Twitter Dictionary
Twittords Twittords
Twitter Directory
Twellow Twellow

Twellow is a free search tool that enables users to find what they are looking for in a simple manner. Twellow filters through the tweets on Twitter and then categorizes them accordingly which can narrow down searching the words that users want to know about. Users need to enter the search terms which list the interest of others and find the results.

Twibs Twibs

Twibs contains a directory of businesses and applications that are available on Twitter. This is an ideal way for users to find and interact with other business by specifying their nature of search. The search can be a categorized or on a product level. With Twibs, users can use Twitter as listening tool too.

39 Advertising Networks and Optimizers

Here is a list of various types of networks, whether you are a publisher and want to make money by adding their advertisements to your site or an advertiser looking to reach your audience. The list can also be found here.


Affiliate Networks

As a publisher you will have to implement these advertisements on a case by case basis by choosing the ads you want to run.

General Advertising Networks

This is a list of networks providing multiple types of advertising and pricing methods.



Niche Advertising Networks



iPhone Advertising Networks



Mobile Advertising Networks



Advertising Network Optimizers


Top 6 iPhone Application Advertising Networks for Publishers

iPhone App
Here is a list of iPhone Advertising networks, great ways to monetize an iPhone application – aka iphone app.

Application Advertising
The following have specific iPhone application advertising solutions for those that have created iPhone applications and wish to earn revenue by placing advertising in their iPhone application. Some of the following advertising networks are exclusively iPhone applications and others have programs for iPhone applications as well as other publisher solutions.

For Revenue:

  • Medialets : Insert ads into your application using easy to drop in Objects, also track your users interaction with your application, earn a CPM.
  • AdMob : Offers ads for your iPhone using Javascript” code. AdMob has been around for a while and has publisher solutions for mobile phones, not just iPhone applications.
  • PinchMedia : Offers ads and analytics for your iPhone application, exclusively for iPhone applications.

For Ad Swapping:

  • PurpleTalk : PurpleTalk allows you to join an advertising exchange with other iPhone developers. You earn advertising views of an advertisement for your application when you advertise others. You do not make money with these ads however it is a free way to increase the adoption of your own application.

For Analytics:

  • PinchMedia : Offers analytics for your iPhone application, exclusively for iPhone applications.

As iPhone’s become more popular by the day, and applications become more widely used your application may become a nice revenue generator. Many options exist.

if you have a new application you could use the PurpleTalk code to gain free exposure and hope to increase your application adoption. Once you have gained adoption and increased usage you could add the advertising code from one of the above iPhone Publisher Networks and start earning revenue from your inventory.


Understanding Google AdWords and Google Analytics for Conversion Tracking and Business Intelligence

I find metrics and business intelligence to be extremely telling and cannot live without them. The ability to test, optimize, re-test and ultimately obtain the desired action of a user or customer at the best possible price is something only afforded to online advertising and marketing as long as you use the right tools.

I am sure you have heard of conversion tracking, and Google’s tools within AdWords and Analytics make it very easy. Here is my guide to setting up, finding the data, and understanding the differences between Google AdWords Conversions and Google Analytics Goals and Filters.

First Setup Google AdWords to talk to Google Analytics

Be sure to tie your Google AdWords account to your Google Analytics account. To do so you need to have the email that you use as your AdWords login the same as an email of a user of your Google Analytics. Once you have an email that is the same for both AdWords and Analytics you login to your Google Adwords account. On the top menu click the Analytics tab (see graphic below).

Google Analytics Tab Picture

The Analytics account will be listed as long as your Analytics has a user with the same email as your AdWords account. Follow the steps and you will then see your Analytics reports available via the “Analytics” tab within Google AdWords.

How to Setup Conversion Tracking within Google AdWords

To set up the conversion tracking within Google AdWords click on the “Conversion Tracking” submenu underneath the “Campaign Management” tab.

You then “Create a New Action” and you need to name it, such as “Registrations”, other data can be associated to it also. Once you save the action you will be given code to put on the page.

You copy the code and paste it into the page that the user will see after they take your desired action. For example if you have a registration page named “register.php” and it collects their name and email with a button to “register” and the next page once registered is “welcome.php” then you put the code on the “welcome.php” page.

Example of how the flow of data works with AdWords: an individual searches on your keyword within Google, the Google network, or Content Network (depending on how you set up your AdWords campaign) then they see one of your advertisements (you can create many different variations) and go to your landing page, submit the information to register with you, then the next page which has the Conversion Tracking code is presented to the user “Thanks for Registering” and the code pings Google AdWords to register a conversion.

You will now see which Campaign, AdGroup, Keyword and Advertisement within Google AdWords generated that conversion. Cost per conversion and other useful information is provided as well.

How to Setup Conversion Tracking within Google Analytics

To set up the conversion tracking with Google Analytics you create what they call “Goals”. To set up a goal you first look under the “Website Profiles” and next to your Domain you will see the “View Reports” and “Edit” under “Settings”.

Google Settings Picture

You will see under the “Conversion Goals and Funnel” heading a list of Goal Names, starting with sequential numbering of G1 G2 G3 etc. Click the “Edit” link under settings to set up a Goal.

Note: What is different about the Google Analytic Goal tracking code as opposed to Google AdWords Conversion Tracking is that you do not need to set up code on your pages for the Goal Tracking. However, you must have the generic Google Analytics code on all your pages for it to work.

There are a list of fields to fill out, the question marks provide information on what is needed. Two main items to understand, Goals and Funnels. Goals are set up by simply putting the URL of the page that as the Goal page. Every visit to that page will be counted so you need to be careful and assure that is a unique page that can only be accessed the way you want. For example if the Goal page is your home page because a new registrant is taken to the home page after registering you will not only have the total of new registrants but it will also show the total number of visits to the home page for that day. The total will be inflated. This is the major difference between the accuracy of the AdWords Conversion tracking and the Google Analytics Goal tracking. However, the Funnels, which are optional, assist in removing the inflated Goal counts.

To utilize Filters, which are incredibly helpful and powerful, you define the path you would like to see a person take. In other words your Goal may show 10 registrants, however you may want to know if they went to the Goal page by first going to the registration page as this would remove all the inflated visitors. For example, if the Goal shows 20 visits to the Goal page and only 10 came from the registration page then you know there were 10 registrants. Utilizing filters can be used for many purposes.

Here are two powerful uses of the Goals and Filters, for internal site development and optimization as well as external advertising campaign testing.

First, internally you can use the filters to show the paths that are taken to registration. Is it home page –> registration or content page –> registration, any path you may suspect or see within Analytics you can filter here.

Also, internally if you have a multi-page sign up process you can determine exactly which pages potential registrants drop off. You may have individuals drop off when you ask certain questions or on certain pages, great to be able to test.

Second, to monitor external advertising campaigns that use unique landing pages you create, you can show filtering from page1 –> registration or page2 –> registration etc. This is a great way to determine, in a process of pages, which campaigns work best.

Where to Find the AdWords Conversions within Google AdWords

You can also find the AdWords conversion data within AdWords. Total number of Conversions are listed by Campaign Name, by Ad Group Name within the Campaign, by Advertisement Variation and by Keywords. The data will always be listed under the “Conversions” column.

Where to Find the AdWords Conversions and Goals within Google Analytics

Before we discuss how to use the Goal and Conversions, here is where you find the data with Google Analytics. The image on the left shows the data for AdWords is found under the “Traffic Sources” menu item. While the image on the right shows the Goals information is shown under the “Goals” tab, a lot of great information.

Now You’re Ready!
That’s it, now you are up and running and know the differences between the Google Conversion tracking with AdWords and the Google Analytics Goals and Funnels. The above is meant to get you started, however does not even begin to touch on the various ways in which you can use the data. Begin to use the tools, use your imagination and you will be wondering why you never used them before.



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Top 10 WordPress Plugins You Must Have

Here are my Top 10 WordPress plugins if I were to start a new WordPress blog (and I do often) here are the plugins I would immediately upload and activate before all else.




Search Engines & Optimization
Your site needs to be listed in search engines and optimized to be found.

  • 1. Google XML Sitemaps : A sitemap will be generated for you and will work with Google, Google is the largest of all the search engines so you need to be indexed properly before you can be found.
  • 2. All in One SEO Pack : Once your pages are indexed in Google, and other search engines, you need to be sure to have Title, Description, and Keywords for your site. Just as important is the ability to easily change the Title, Description, and Keywords for every post you make as the topic and discussion is different it is best to have the Title, Description and Keywords match the content. This plugin provides all that and more as you can modify the above when you post or write a page.




Visitor Retention
Make sure your visitors continue to receive your stories after they visited your site and hopefully return.

  • 3. Add to Any Subscribe Button : Make it simple for visitors to easily add your feed to their favorite reader and receive your posts, hopefully returning as well.




Visitor Acquisition – Virally
Once you have visitors, the best reference is a friend so have your visitors tell others through services such as Digg and other social bookmarking/sharing services. You cannot beat referrals, they are strong and free.

  • 4. diggZ-Et : Adds a Digg button to every post, a simple click and submit from a visitor and you are referenced in Digg, finding a new audience and traffic.
  • 5. Add to Any : Share/Save/Bookmark Button or Sociable : As there are many different sharing and social bookmarking services, you want to easily be able to offer the visitors preferred provider, such as Reddit Del.icio.us and others, with a click of a button. These two, pick your preference, provide them all.




No Spam
Comment spam is no fun when you get 100 a day, bots typically spam your site by leaving comments and it is best to block them or make them more easily identifiable then to allow them all and clean it up yourself.

  • 6. Akismet : An excellent tool for blocking and highlighting spam comments for you.
  • 7. reCAPTCHA : Stop bots from leaving comments by providing a confirmation code that can only be read by human eyes, I am sure you have see the word on a background which is difficult but possible to decifer.




Track Progress
Statistics help you to determine the traffic from your site, where they come from and where they go.

  • 8.Google Analytics for WordPress : Google Analytics is a free, and very impressive, statistics package. Easily add the tracking code to your pages with this plugin and track your progress.




Administrative
Here are some plugins to make the administration of your blog easier.

  • 9. WordPress Automatic Upgrade : Every now and then you need to upgrade WordPress to the latest version, with this plugin you can do so by clicking to upgrade and it is taken care of for you, even backing up your site before the upgrade.
  • 10. WP Super Cache : Just in case you site becomes popular, or even on the more reasonably priced web hosting plans they may turn off your site if too much traffic comes and your site is putting too much of a load on the web server, with this plugin a static page is rendered and served up thereby saving server load.

These are incredibly easy to install, just download from the link above, unzip, upload to your /wp-content/plugins directory the entire plugin folder and activate from your plugin menu option within the WordPress admin.

Hope these help, and let me know if you have others you would prefer in your top 10.




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