Squarespace Reviewed – Website Design and Affiliate Excellence

Website builders are a dime-a-dozen these days. It seems like every webhost out there has some sort of builder software for their clients. These range from decent to incredibly poor and difficult to use. However, Squarespace if making a significant difference here – their tagline, “publishing redefined” is certainly true. More than just a website design and hosting software, Squarespace is an experience that has been featured by the likes of the Wall Street Journal, Cnet and Business Week.

What Is Squarespace?

The first question that needs to be answered here is “what is it?” Squarespace provides you with the means to easily build a website that matches your goals and desires. Their unique software breaks each component of a website build into “bricks”. Like Legos®, you simply snap these bricks together into a design that does what you want – you get the site you want, along with a timeless, elegant, evocative design. Of course, Squarespace is more than just website design software – much more.

Managed Hosting and More

Template website designs are nothing new – WordPress alone has tens of thousands that run the gamut from cheesy to ultra-smooth. However, few of them come with hosting and help – Squarespace offers fully managed hosting plans for your website to ensure that not only do you get the website that you want and need, but that you’re free from the headaches of webhosting so that you can focus on what you do best, whether that’s blogging or running your business. And you get to try it free – with no risk at all.

Squarespace Styles

Of course, achieving the style that you want can be difficult. To help you here, Squarespace offers some of the very best templates out there – “un-templated”. All sites feature 60+ design variants from the world’s top brand name developers. Each one offers simple point and click controls so that you can customize your website to the nth degree if you so desire. It’s never been easier to get the exact website that you want for your customers, readers or visitors.

The Affiliate Program

In addition to offering one of the most robust and innovative website hosting and design platforms in the world, Squarespace also has a pretty tempting affiliate program. For those who have been involved with affiliate marketing in the past and felt burned by low-paying programs, this option is a refreshing difference.

To start, it’s incredibly simple – Squarespace gives you the ability to copy and paste ads to get started. That means no hassle and no headaches. Beyond this, you’ll find that the company actually pays up to 10x what you might earn from other programs, with none of those percentage plans or $2 payouts. Payment for a standard signup is $50, while an advanced package nets you $70. A business signup gives you $100.

Those are numbers that just can’t be argued with – and payout happens every 60 days via either check or electronic funds transfer. Finally, Squarespace offers an incredible window for affiliates. The initial period for referrals is 45 days. However, there is an addition 30-day window for referrals who chose to take advantage of the trial program, giving you a 75-day window.

The Verdict

So, how does Squarespace stack up? In terms of website building software and hosting, you won’t find anything better. Whether you’re a CSS developer or a blogger, a business owner or a CEO, Squarespace gives you incredible options when it comes to designing, developing and implementing websites. That power, versatility and dedication to quality leads directly to name recognition.

That name recognition ensures that their affiliates are able to earn a significant amount of money, and Squarespace’s generous payouts and industry-best referral windows mean that it’s never been easier to actually build a profitable affiliate program.

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Blogger Gets a Facelift

When my mind turns to thoughts of that great squid Google wrapping its tentacles around the world, I always forget that the barnacled tendril known as Blogger / Blogspot is still waving and swaying out there on the Internet.

Many people I know started blogging with Blogspot but were ultimately lured away by other more dynamic offerings. Nonetheless, Blogger has remained one of the largest, most popular blogging hubs on the Web, despite not having any significant updates since 2006.

Google realized that Blogger was getting a little neglected and consequently rolled out a new user interface. The Blogger code has been rewritten from scratch in order to accommodate advances in web publishing technology and unify the service with Google’s larger design aesthetic.

Great! What does that mean?

Google is pushing hard to integrate all the tendrils of its ever-growing enterprise. This substantial Blogger update is phase one of a rebranding effort that also includes the upgrades to the photo service Picasa and the public release of Google Plus. That means, if you use Google, all your services are becoming tightly integrated. If you blog on Blogspot, you’ll be able to pull that post and publicize it on Google+ instantly.

What about loot?

A big part of the integration is the addition of Adsense / Adwords into the Blogger universe. Google makes most of its billions of dollars from advertising and millions of bloggers have joined the party. There is lots of money to be had, and the updated Blogger platform makes it easier than ever.

The inclusion of AdWords in Blogger will also make the platform prime for remarketing initiatives. Having a blog site that is ready for this marketing innovation gives you a more streamlined experience in tracking revenue generated by display ads since it’s all handled under the Google umbrella.

Perhaps the biggest change, and the one that really brings Blogger up to speed, is the fact that it has been recoded in HTML5, making the blogging experience accessible on mobile devices and web browsers.

This is something other blog-service providers have been doing for quite some time, but it is done well here on Blogger in spite of its tardiness. Templates, designs and format translate really well to mobile screens.

Google seems to have taken some cues from effective iPhone app development, and have translated their killer Google Plus design over to iOS. The Blogger app for iOS is only available in iPhone-size, so iPad users will have to wait. It is nice to be able to blog in a real way on mobile, though.

I used to think the idea was strange – how would I ever throw together a post on the fly, never mind with just my thumbs? – but then I tried and it’s remarkably cathartic, especially for someone who broods over a 100-word post.

I hear people are satisfied with the iPhone version, and the Android version has caught some flak. I can say with confidence that the Droid X runs well on Blogger, so if you have a mobile device and haven’t yet dipped into the world of mobile blogging, give it a shot, it just might change you.

Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the Blogger upgrades. It’s a super simplified platform that works really well for individuals looking to start their first blog. The super-fast setup time and ease of use make it a no-frills system but professional bloggers will likely furrow their brows at the lack of customization options and premium features offered by other hosting sites.

If you already have a neglected Blogspot domain (don’t worry, we all do) I’d fire it up and see if any of the updates appeal to you; it really is a much better environment for writing, publishing and following blogs across the Internet.

©Make Money Online

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How to Get Accepted for AdSense

This make money online article is guest posted by Peter Reynolds

Although you can find dozens of ad servers through a simple Internet search, Google’s AdSense is the best in the business. In June of 2003, AdSense took the marketplace by storm and hasn’t relinquished its control yet.

Most of the top blogs and websites you’ll find around the web today all have one thing in common – AdSense ads.

The process is extremely simple to understand. You sign up for a Google AdSense account, submit your site, and if accepted, you will receive generated codes (html scripts usually) for the types of ads you prefer.

With Google ads, you can adorn your site with banners (rectangular ads by the header or footer), skyscrapers (tall, slender ads running down the side), buttons (small, box-shaped ads), and even in-video overlays and other fantastic ad types.

AdSense offers pay-per-click advertising, meaning that you will receive money every time a valid click is recorded, and also pay-per-impression, which logs your site’s visitors and pays out in more of a bulk fashion.

Overall, AdSense can be extremely lucrative based on your particular site’s traffic, and millions are using it.

One big problem, however: Many people are being denied by Google AdSense!

If you’re attempting to make some money online and are thinking of employing AdSense to beef up your odds, make sure you read these tips before submitting your site to Google. As a company, Google is becoming extremely selective about whom they’ll let into their coveted ranks. So before you get started, make sure you set the stage to impress the marketing giant.

Five Easy AdSense Tips

1. Completion First

The first step in this process should be to make sure that your site is completed. Make sure your site is fully operational, meaning that all the graphics, content and other odds and ends work and are finalized.

2. No Copyrighted Content

Google may or may not put your site under a microscope. But in case they do, make sure you have zero copyrighted content on your site. This will be an instant rejection.

3. No Outdated Content

Google doesn’t waste their time much these days with poorly maintained sites. If you have old, out-of-date content, your site will come across as if no one maintains it.

4. No Profane Material

AdSense doesn’t get along well with profane sites. If you have any X-rated material on your site or even anything that can be deemed offensive (bigotry as an example), Google will reject you in a second.

5. No Domain Conflict

You need to outright own your domain for at least 90 days before Google will accept your site for AdSense. This isn’t always the case with a blog, as a blog address is a shared address on the particular blog’s servers (think Blogger). But for legitimate websites, you need to wait. Be patient and take this time to create and present a good site.

When marketing a website of any kind, whether it’s a personal blog or a legitimate e-store, patience is paramount. Build your site, test it, traffic it a bit, make sure you work out all the bugs, take care of your content, and then submit to Google. Once they see what a great site you have, they’ll gladly approve you.

Peter Reynolds is lead writer for http://www.carinsurancelist.com/ and has been writing web content for multiple sites since 2005.

©Make Money Online

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Mobile Social Media and Mobile Marketing, What Does the Horizon Look Like?

This make money online article is guest posted by Alia Haley

Now as we move ahead from email marketing, mobile marketing seems to be making a wider space in our lives. And with social networking in a boom, the blend of social media and mobile marketing can work wonder in capitalizing your business.

If you check the figures of adoption rate of Smartphones in US alone, it’s incredible, and similar is the story in Europe and other developing nations. You will find more and more users to be comfortable in accessing the internet using high end cell phone devices.

Any Tom, Dick and Harry uses popular social networking websites.It’s easy to target the prospective consumer by bringing these two things together. The following are the ways of incorporating the marketing techniques in the mobile interface:

Keep it simple

You all know how the social content is different from the web content, while considering the mobile content, the distinction goes the double. Make sure you do not make the QR code link confined to your website page or the Facebook account page.

When developing a mobile content, make sure it’s easy to access, share and appreciate. If it fails to meet these requirements, you hardly can yield any result from it.

Think the Glance and Go factor

It is worth to rely on the QR codes since capturing an image of anything is quicker and a natural choice than searching anything on the web pages or searching for any place on any position based social network.

You may get a number of technologies in the future which enables the mobile users to communicate with their surroundings. However, as of now, QR codes rule the world by giving you a fast and most popular connection tools.

Let the context dictate the content

When you develop content for mobile users, ensure that it is useful and addressed to the consumers of the same demography. Don’t offer things which are beyond their reach and too far to get.

On the contrary, you should use location as a means to nip content to make it more relevant. So offer them as per their taste and region specific.

It’s just a start

You cannot afford to give your prospective consumers complex forms to be filled via their mobile web. Remember it’s just a beginning; you need many interactions with them before they convert into your customer.

To be perfect on this, you need to cater your users with tasty piece of content and give them opportunities to connect with your brand with other channels in the coming time.

Final Word:

Earlier, people used to complain a lot about email being used by marketing people to flood their inboxes. We have now evolved to a life which is dominated by social media and mobile marketing.

However, with social media and mobile marketing things are seen in a different angle. Now, mobile marketing is not called a kind of interference in the consumer’s life; rather it is seen more as a customer friendly addition. With these ideas in mind, you can try the above listed things.

Alia Haley is a blogger who is a tech freak. She has a weak side for gadgets and fashionable stuff like beach bag she loves collecting them. Recently she added a sony ericsson android to her collection, and she is also planning to buy a home theater.

©Make Money Online

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Do You Have What It Takes To Work Online?

This make money online article is guest posted by Jenny Masterson

In today’s economy, working from home is a viable option for many people. Whether you have obligations that prohibit you from working odd hours, children who demand your time or even just a burning desire to set up a home office, working from home may be just the type of opportunity you’re looking for.

If you’re curious as to what kind of person can be successful working from home, read through these top five traits of the best at home workers.

1. Organized

To work at home, one must be very organized. Many online ‘employers’ hire independent contractors. What this means for you is that you must pay your own taxes quarterly, report your end-of-the-year income as self-employment income and budget your paycheck accordingly.

2. Dedicated

Working at home seems like a dream come true but many first-timers find that the available hours aren’t what they expected, the work isn’t what they thought it would be or they are too distracted by the goings on inside of the home. You must dedicate yourself to seeing it through. Hours often increase with time, work options become more varied and you can block out kids, pets and spouses once you practice doing so.

3. Focused

Let’s talk about distractions! Phones and doorbells ring, pets need to be let outside, children rip and tear around the house and before you know it, you’re off doing something else. The time you set aside for work is no different than the time you would spend in an office. You need to be able to focus on the task at hand and complete your assignments in a timely manner or work your entire shift without fail.

4. Flexible

While some online employers or companies allow you to set your own schedule or work when it’s convenient for you, others have set shifts that you will be assigned to. When you begin your foray into working online, you may not be privy to the most opportune shifts. You must be flexible enough to work when the work is available.

5. Persistent

Finding online work seems very easy when you talk to people who have already found it. The reality is that weeding through the postings and sorting the scams from the legitimate opportunities can be overwhelming. Persistence pays off. Talk to several people, post on message boards and read work-at-home forums. Apply to several companies and follow up on your applications.

Working online can be a great opportunity; just ask anyone who is doing it! Working from home saves on transportation costs, clothing or uniform costs and even food costs. The secret to working online simply lies in finding a legitimate opportunity or creating your own. If you find it’s not for you, you can always re-enter the brick and mortar job market; what do you have to lose?

Jenny Masterson is a career advisor and also contributes content for thebestcolleges.org, a website providing college reviews as well as a multitude of online computer degrees listings.

©Make Money Online

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SEO Tips for Utilising Facebook For Online Businesses

This make money online article is guest posted by WebGuru India

Website design is not just a matter of using latest web designing apps and media enriched content. It is also imperative to implement necessary search engine optimization incorporating social media in web sites for long term success.

Google, the undisputed king of online search, ranks web sites on the basis of their presence and image in social media sites. Hence, a web site owner needs to have a page in Facebook for his company not only for product promotion but also for higher ranking in search engine results.

As social media incorporation in SEO becomes crucial with time, SEO firms need to know how they can make the most out of popular social media services for their clients. Facebook, with a user base exceeding 700 million users worldwide is, undoubtedly, among the most sought after social media sites.

Last year, Facebook turned out to be most widely used term in Google and the company said its internal search jumped significantly. With the number of Facebook users going up everyday, this trend is likely to continue. Hence, an SEO Company streamlining its social media usage strategy should consider ways to utilize Facebook for SEO.

Web developers implementing social media centric SEO methods may face some hardships in getting Facebook pages appearing in top search engine results. They need to master effective Facebook Page optimization measures. Web developers may often find Facebook pages featuring their client brands not appearing in Google searches despite implementing optimization techniques.

In a well-known survey in 2010, nearly 200 reputed Fortune 500 brands having their pages in Facebook fared poorly in Google search results. Only 30 percent of those pages appeared in Google search results. This can be owing to several reasons, the main being Google and Facebook are, after all, competitors.

However, optimizing for external web search is not much complicated, this professional rivalry notwithstanding. Facebook pages that are ‘liked’ by majority of viewers have a higher chance of reaching out to maximum number of online users anyway. Developers should maintain parity when it comes to URLS and naming methods for getting traffic.

  • Facebook pages should have multimedia content that are optimized properly. Tagging and naming Facebook images is also an important step, which is often overlooked by marketers. Web developers making client site pages on Facebook should also understand mindset and preference of web users. Facebook users usually do not like being redirected to another site for buying a product they are interested in. They want all information and services within their
  • Optimization for Facebook can be a bit complicated for developers owing to the fact that Facebook’s AutoComplete results get affected by a number of factors. It gets affected by user preferences, their usage history etc.This can be both helpful and troublesome for businesses. This optimization is subject to change as per trends of Facebook users and it may be difficult to find a cohesive logic behind these changes at all.
  • Web developers can cross link their Facebook pages with profiles in other social media sites to attract more users. This can help businesses in building multiple touch points with their customers.

WebGuru India is a website design company based in India, offering high-quality and cost-effective website design and website development solutions to people worldwide. The company has authored several articles on web design, logo design, Flash design, SEO services etc, providing updated information on technological developments and advancements.

©Make Money Online

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5 Reasons Why I Love MorgueFile

This article is guest posted by Laura Backes

You’ve got a website and not a lot of money. You want to post an article to your blog. But it’s missing something. It needs color, pop, pizazz. It needs… photos. That’s what’s missing: a little visual interest to draw the eye.

But you’re not exactly in the position to invest in a high-quality digital camera, nor do you have access to beautiful scenery (unless traffic counts). You certainly don’t want to pay for a photo, though. What do you do? Turn to MorgueFile.

1. Free – Yep, you read that right. Free photos. For commercial and private use. Waiting for you to come snatch them up. It’s so easy. You need photos, they have photos, boom, you’re done. High-resolution stock photography images free for either corporate or private use. What more could you ask?

2. Choices – Content. You want choices, is that it? You are afraid that free means skimpy. No. No way. The choices are vast and varied. Even if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you can find it on MorgueFile. I’m not saying they cover every topic you could ever want, but they do a pretty good job with the variety.

3. Bad examples – Speaking of variety, they have some great and some awful pictures. Yes, they have bad photos. Not X-rated, just out of focus or oddly off-centered or even unintelligible. But that can be a good thing. Let’s say you were doing a post on the mistakes made in photography, or how a company was out of focus. There you go- a picture to illustrate your point.

4. Keyword search – Best of all, you can search the photo tags. No flipping through unrelated photos here. Just pick a topic and search. But be careful. Some things will pop up with no results because you didn’t search right. Yes, there’s a right way to search. Remember, these are photos posted by the artists. They don’t think ‘business’. Search for things that an artist would label a photo with. Instead of ‘increasing traffic’ try ‘traffic’ or ‘roads’ or ‘cars’. Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out fast.

5. Did I mention free? – As in zip. Nada. Zilch. Zero. You think that it’s only free during a trial period? Nope. All free, all the time. No signing in necessary. No one is keeping track of your habits, no pesky spam or emails, no ads. Turns out, you can get something for nothing.

There you have it: five reasons to fall in love with MorgueFile. So the next time you want to spruce up your post or your website, take a look there. Before you start searching or clicking away, look at the sideshow on the homepage. They have featured photos. These are the best new photos the site has to offer. Look and see; they might give you some new ideas.

This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet providers in my area.  You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com

© Make Money Online

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