Newsletter - August 2002

Web site money-making secrets $$
There is an element of web design that is shockingly overlooked by most web sites. That is the issue of making money. Let's face it, most of us who have web sites have them for one primary purpose: to make more money. And yet web designers continue to churn out inspired web masterpieces instead of usable tools for customers.

This is one reason why I refer to Cactus Juice as a web “builder”. We go into a project to create something substantial for you and your clients. Our experience tells us that good web design is not just about aesthetics. Your customers want practical tools, innovative features and compelling content.

In the end, it does not matter what you or I think of your site. What your customers think, this is the only opinion that matters. In the real world, what makes them to want to buy your product or service from you? One area of my expertise is translating your clients' real-world psychology into in a web design that will influence them to buy your products or services.

How do you make more money with your web site? I will give you the best secret now. Give your customers an enjoyable shopping experience and they will give you their money. Shopping is one of the premier forms of entertainment. It sounds like a huge understatement. Still I would wager that your competitors' web sites are NOT doing this. And this is a huge opportunity for you.

Improve web site rankings
Here are a few of the numerous “tricks” that I use to help improve web site rankings with search engines and directories. Be sure to use your META tags, at the very least on your home page. Keep your list of “Keywords” under 20 and use plural word forms whenever applicable. Do not repeat the same keyword. Keep your page “Description” under 150 characters and page title under 100. On your home page, use your keywords as close to the top of the page as possible. Get at least 10 other web sites to link to yours--this is a biggie! Finally, do not use frames. Instead use sub folders and sneak in more keywords by giving them relevant names.

Geek approved (in color)!
Last month I hyped Hewlett Packard’s LaserJet 4100. Several clients have since inquired about an affordable, office-duty, color printer. My recommendation is HP once more.

Check out the HP CP1700. This is an extremely robust color inkjet at an amazingly affordable price. Features include 14ppm color drafts, expandable paper tray (to a whopping 13” X 19”) and an optional duplexing unit. They are currently listed on buy.com for under $500--and shipping is free. If your office has a need for a reliable color printing, you will find the CP1700 to be a prized asset!

My $0.02 Worth
Attention Windows 98/ME users. One word: Reboot. Once a day helps keep the blues away--blue screen that is. Whenever your computer starts to perform unexpectedly, save your work ASAP, then go to your START button and choose Shut Down\Restart. If your computer is running 24/7 reboot it every morning before starting work. Many 98/ME computer problems are related to memory usage. If possible upgrade to Windows 2000 or XP. These operating systems are much more stable and reliable…not to mention more secure. In fact I will go as far as to say that businesses should never run Windows 98/ME.