In case you didn't check out the link for sitepoint, make sure that you check out a link that was in the newsletter -
http://fortuneinteractive.com/laptop.php

Today working to clean my inbox out of worthy news - hopefully you'll find something that you enjoy.

http://askmichel.icoder.com/

Everything you ever wanted to know about robot text files.
http://www.robotstxt.org/

More info on the landing page (Google Adwords)
http://www.marketposition.com/blog/archives/2006/07/google_updates_1.html

Sitepoint Tribune had some good stuff - you can check out the issue here -

Enjoy your weekend

More info on the landing page controversy can be found here -

http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3622950

If you've been having some problems with your Google ad campaign of late - maybe you can get some insight or post your comments about what is happening to you here -

http://kenmccarthy.blogs.com/ken_mccarthy/2006/07/whats_happening.html

A good post on determining how competitive a keyword is.

http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?threadid=12632

A good article from DEMC on four most profitable promotions -

http://www.demc.com/artman/publish/article_154.shtml

Some good web design tips - even if you aren't a pro.

http://www.netmag.co.uk/zine/design-tutorials/20-pro-tips

Remember the pet rock? The article below explains what happened.

http://www.soleproprietormagazine.com/articlereaderlive.asp?eyed=29

If you use Google Ad words to promote your site - you may have noticed some differences lately.

Some info on the change and Googles "Quality" score can be found here.
http://www.clickz.com/experts/search/strat/article.php/3619936

A nice guide on linking - one note if it's "grey" be very careful about doing it - also "buying links" has been strongly condemned by Google. With that said enjoy.

http://www.jimwestergren.com/link-building-guide/

Did Google reveal some spam scores? You decide.

http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060705-095715

This is funny - appears that there have been some lawsuits / arguments about Googles plane -
http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060707-063500

Here's a nice marketing checklist -

http://www.demc.com/artman/publish/article_150.shtml

An interview with a Network Marketer -

http://www.demc.com/artman/publish/article_146.shtml

A nice snapshot of promoting your site -

http://www.webreference.com/promotion/search/traffic/index.html

How to read web analytics -

Part 1
Part 2

We've been having quite a few storms here - so as usual we are behind. As MySpace takes the world by storm - I'm interested in knowing if anyone has had success marketing something.

Short and sweet today - Google has introduced quite a few products recently - this article explains them.

Click Here

During our trip to Lexington we also stopped at Build a Bear. What a concept - you get to create a toy - and customize it so that it is unique. Of course Haley had to get one, it's her fourth. As we were checking out I got something interesting though - a book by the creator of the company. "Bear Necessities of Business". A quick glance showed that it may have some things of interest - and if it has only one nugget in it then it was well worth the price. As we finish reading it I'll share any thoughts that we glean from it.

We had a few days off and took a trip to Lexington - on Friday we decided to watch a movie which I rarely do (at the theater anyway). The movie we watched was great - I'll take a bit about "Cars" later this week - but the experience was something to be desired. I think I'm beginning to understand why the movie industry is in the duldrums. To me going to the theater should be a unique experience. These days many people have the big screen TV's, and surround sound systems that sound nearly as good as when you go to the movies.... and you don't have to battle the crowds, interruptions while watching the movie.... or watch commercials at the beginning of the movie along with a hundred previews.

I'm sure they added commercials because the movie folks wanted to earn a buck or two more, but don't they realize that this is one of the reasons we stay at home - so we can not have to deal with advertising....

It was a good thing that the movie we went to see made up for things - I can now however more fully understand why fewer people are going. What I think they should do and will do is release movies both at the theater and maybe on a premium DVD version. Or maybe the theaters can clean up their act and try to make the experience something to remember... anyhoo just some thoughts.

Applying to your business - how can you make your customers experience better. I bet if you took some time today you could think of a couple ways to do this. Think on it and I'll give you another example tomorrow.

A nice forum post that lists the number of "things" Google uses to rank sites - some interesting reading.

http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?threadid=12170

Optimizing your blog - some good notes on this are below.

Click Here

Ralph Wilson has updated his promotion list - always some good stuff.
http://www.wilsonweb.com/articles/checklist.htm

If you want to add some umpff to your web copy then check this out.
Click Here

Had a stormy Sat / Sunday night here. Lots of thunder, lightning and wind.

A good article on growing your list -

http://www.demc.com/artman/publish/article_138.shtml