Recent events, meaning this past year have been, well, trying to say the least for me which has lead to me not being able to keep posting in here with my latest tips n tricks. I deeply regret this as I truly loved the response I was getting from local webmasters and webmaster-in-the-making.

Here’s the problem. When I began running websistes overs 5 years ago now, I origianlly planned to just run some of my own websites, learn how to make them successful and reep the rewards. Sounded simple, but it truly takes alot of work and always being up on top of all the “geek” news to keep your sites successful. But then something totally unexpected happened to me….I started getting others asking me to do work for them.

I never expected I would be taking on clients to build their website and help with SEO, markieting etc but it did. So my life went from simply running my own websites to being over worked with clients of my own. I apologize for letting this happen and therefor neglecting my own websites.

My current wake-up call was the new google PR update that was a few weeks ago now and seeing all my sites (this blog included) take some major hits. For the first time I will agree with Google that most of my sites have truly been neglected and its time to get me back on track.

I hope to start decreasing my client commitments and get back to running my own internet empire. I truly love doing my client work, but I also loved having my own websites to run, tinker with and find out how to get them more and more popular.

I truly is a challenge, no matter how long you’ve worked online to keep up with new techniques and marketing plans, but I still love it. I hope some of you have begun your own websites, and even more, I hope to hear your success stories.

Stay tuned for more…I will be back soon with some new tips and news you should know to keep your websites profitable!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have heard atleast a bit about the current financial crisis that is going on on Wall Street and echoing throughout the world. Many webmasters have been watching with their own concerns…”What effect will this have on internet businesses?”

Some feel that this will help internet businesses that focus on selling webmasters tools, tips and tricks as people begin looking to the net as a way to make more money or even a place to begin a total new career. This may be true on some levels, but others of us, me included, have to worry about our own bottom lines.

With people worrying about their personal income and financial situations, advertisers may become less able to pay prices we have become accustom to on our own websites. Google, who came out with amazing earning, yet again, last week even has concerns about their own adword clients and their budget changes.

Lesson learned, world news is always important to consider when running your virtual business. My websites are nearly all in the financial niche, so I obviously have other concerns, but it is important to always be thinking outside the box. Considering what is happening in the world and how your business can use it to its advantage. Ok, so that may sound shallow but it is not meant to. I am by no means telling you to take advantage of those that are financial distraught these days, but consider how your company can use it to gain loyal customers.

If you sell products, you can consider having a sale, or offer freebies that may help them during this time. Add more interactive elements on your website that will be helpful, and keep them coming back.

Example, put up a financial calculator that will show them auto loan options, mortgage rates, CD rates etc….(you get the point)

You have to look your own personal niche and decide what relevant news effects it, obviously not everyone will be effected directly by this if your not in the financial niche, but perhaps you offer new information on how to get their own websites up and going etc.

This wasn’t meant to be a lengthy post. Merely trying to help you open your eyes and realize that everything going on in the “human” world effects our virtual businesses. Depending on what you do with it, it may greatly benefit your business.

One of the best ways to impress your clients on your websites is making it custom for them. Obviously, this is not always that easy since you never know who will show up knocking on your domain’s door.

I found a great resource that you can use in countless ways to help give your website a personal touch and a local feel, no matter what niche your in! ZipCodeGuy.com provides zip code databases that you can buy and use in limitless ways. Want your clients to be able to find your business from their location? Want to list demographic information for a clients area? Or just want to run a comparison type of website…the ideas are truly only limited to your ideas and skills.

In order to help your website increase conversion or even just increase your traffic you want to always be sure to offer these type of interactive features that will have them coming back when they need a certain type of information, or even just want to play around with your cool tools!

I highly recommend you check out these databases for your website and see what you can come up with to improve your website conversions. I’d love to hear what you come up with, and I’ll be sure to let you know what I begin doing with my databases that may help your websites too!