Who hasn’t uttered the words “if you want something done around here, you got to do it yourself”? Come on, raise your hand and admit it. Practically speaking there are times when that is true and there is nothing wrong with that.

So here in a recent series of articles we have been taking a look at tangible examples of existing web sites that will give us a visual aide of what type of options we have in building our web page. Today we are going to examine the D.I.Y. Options and how a couple of them work.

Before we dive into the deep end we take our traditional moment to emphasize to you that these examples are not endorsements for these sites nor are we telling you not to use these sites. We are simply showing you real life applications that should be helpful to you.

We can start out ravels by pulling up http://build-website.com/index.html. When you arrive at the site the overall lay out is very pleasant and moderately simple. The featured options are very clear and easy to navigate.

The Home Page features a banner ad at the top of the page directing you to hosting services, which you will need to learn about and utilize. They do not present their company tag with a logo but it is quite prominent in the top center of the page. I have always felt a logo is important and that it didn’t have to be complicated. But it does give your potential customer a picture to remember in case the name is forgotten, but it is not the: be all to end all. Obviously this company did not see it as a must.

Right beneath the name of the site and the tag line there is a box offering 4 options. Below this box is a section that offers the same options but offers a brief description of what each option provides. At the very bottom of the page there are options of web site related topics and procedures you will need to learn and apply.

The beauty of these options is they are geared for the beginner, the novice, and the experienced web designer and manager. Now as you click on each option you are brought to a home page of sorts directing you through the various thins you will need to know or applications you can consider. It is very extensive and yet thorough, which is a great combination to have.

Each page also features a couple affiliate banners and a menu guide, also a killer combo. Each page presents plenty of choices and a plentiful supply of information and helpful direction. And yet it is not cluttered. This is a good example for your site.

But hold there! This close – up is also an example of how you can search for web pages like this that help you build and design your own page and seek out your own hosting!

Now if you feel you are not quite ready or up to speed to this undertaking there is another type of option. You could use the services of a host service that provides you with the tools to create and somewhat design your own web page.

Get on your Internet travel machine and now visit http://wordpress.com/. Here we see a whole lot more on the Home Page. And yet at the same time it is relatively easy to navigate. There are a considerable number of banner ads on the right center of the page. On the right are some directions to do it yourself options.

Scrolling down to the bottom of the Home Page there is a couple menus of sorts. Under the heading “On WordPress.com” gives you some do it yourself services to choose from. Next to that and to the right are some other applications to choose from and check out.

Word Press is an interesting option because it offers various levels of do it yourself options but it also provides some of the more advanced parts for you. As a web page it is an example of how you can offer your service or products and maintain a strong affiliate program.

At the end of the day you should take some time to review the options you have to care for your own page needs. At the very least it will be a learning experience and you will understand more of the workings of the Internet. On the other hand you can begin or expand your desire to have your very own Internet business.

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When we read a book, who doesn’t like the pictures? Yes we live in a visual society and therefore we like to see examples of things after they have been explained to us or while they are being explained to us.

In the first article of “Close up” we examined a professional blog and the benefits of what it had to offer. Today we are going to look at another example. This time our web page is offering to help you get into and cash in on the affiliate market.

Now let me state up front that I randomly chose this site for an example and I am not endorsing it nor am I condemning it. I have no connection to it nor does Bevyhost in any way, shape, or form. So please do not put any extra meaning into the fact that we are using this other than an example of how one can feature the affiliate market.

Ironically this one caught my eye because it is an example of affiliate marketing and selling the concept of affiliate marketing at the same time.

Click another tab and pull up http://www.affiliatetips.com/. Yes it is a real web site. And again, we are just looking at it and its features for the purpose of this article.

At first glance we see a nice contrast of color mixed in with a white page. The top features their logo and their business name along with a couple tag ad lines; simple and positive message. Instantly you get the idea that they want you to get. They are telling you in a couple lines that this site is going to help you make money by using the right or best affiliate programs. They are also telling you it takes some work, “not magic”, but that you can do it. Notice they do not tell you it is easy or fast, because it isn’t that easy and fast.

The first paragraph under the logo is their mission or purpose statement basically, that’s always good to do. Unless it is painfully obvious what your site is for, you should tell people why they need to use your site.

In the box to the right of their opening paragraph is a list of affiliates or affiliate programs. Yes the site is stating it is going to guide you to the best affiliate sites and right out of the gate they give you a Top 10 list, Bada Boom! Naturally they provide the links for your convenience. Part of what they want is for you to use one of these as they will earn some cash for recommending them. Now note that does not mean that these people truly don’t believe that these programs are the best. They really may stand behind their claims.

On the column that occupies the space along the right side of the home page you will see a site search bar at the top. This is a must on any site. By typing in a keyword or phrase relevant to affiliate marketing it will direct you to the places on their site that cover that topic or include that keyword or phrase.

To make it even easier that column along the right side of the page provides a table of contents of sorts. The tables are broken into categories, articles, tools, and even spreadsheets.

Back up to the top but below the opening “what we offer” paragraph is a box showcasing some feature articles. Continue to scroll down and keep your eyes focused on the left side of the Home page you will see how they showcase more feature articles but they have broken down into levels of understanding for you. They have beginner and advanced articles. Adjacent to those choices are guides/reviews and the most recent articles.

Continuing down, still on the left side of the Home page you see another example of affiliate marketing. There you see a couple Google adsense ads. And f course, they are ads about affiliate marketing. I love it!

Now scroll back up a little bit and let’s look at the features below the Top 10 list, basically in what we call the center section of the Home Page. There they have provided you with a couple program tools. Tools that some will already know how to use and others will learn how to use. But it was clever to have them there for all levels of experience, for they are useful tools.

Under those toll boxes and still in the mid sections is a yellowish box. I thought this was another clever presentation. They created a feature of the month ad. If you missed the fact that they had this company listed as their #1 affiliate programs you likely will not miss this ad as the color contrast sticks out and the logo is prominently present. In this box or what many call a banner, you get a quick “motivational” pr persuasive reason to check this site out. Yeah you guessed it: that is affiliate marketing.

Scrolling down we see 2 boxes next to each other. These are there to help you use their site to the fullest and get a better education of the affiliate marketing business and its potential. As you can see they break it down into the 2 primary areas you use affiliates. If you are trying to cash in on sending traffic to another business or you are a business looking for traffic to be sent your way. Both are essential to the affiliate market.

The review list that is below the above mentioned boxes is very interesting. It is a review but it helps you get a picture of how affiliate marketing can be dissected and digested. It shows you the niche areas that are covered and maximized in the affiliate world. You have:

• Software
• Education
• Dating
• Mortgage
• Shopping
• Web Hosting

It also helps you to see the areas of how money is made. They score the quality of the programs, the base commissions, and the realistic expectations.

The section of 2 boxes below the review section offers you a couple ways for you to get involved with this site. And the bottom offers you more Google adsense ads. And the very bottom offers some of the standard choices mixed with site relevant options of :

• About us
• Advertise
• Add Program
• Contest
• Directory
• Disclaimer
• FAQ
• Job Opportunities
• Resources
• Privacy policy
• Marketing Tools
• Sitemap

So there is a prime example of how extensive you can get with an affiliate site. Look the driving force of this site is to get people to choose one of the featured programs they review and are discussing. They also hope many will check out the Google adsense ads. And they do appear to provide some useful info on their site.

So do you have a site or sites that you would like to get paid to send people? An area you believe in or are passionate for? A field you are knowledgeable of? Then your affiliate site can learn from this one.

Keep in mind of course this is just one example. Come back here on Bevyhost.com and we will feature some other examples that you can pick up some tips and understanding from. See you around!

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Have you ever heard of Hyperion? Well in the summer of 2006 it was a sequoia tree found towering over the Redwood National Park at an amazing 115.5 meters. ( 379.1 ft). It is now regarded as the tallest living organism on Earth.

Ironically these trees have been standing tall for centuries. In fact there are many of these mammoth evergreens that eclipse 90 meters. (300 ft) However finding the tallest of these tall trees takes time and a deliberate search. Now I have to be honest, I do not know the specifics that go into where they decide to look or how they determine some of the details but I do know it is not a random willy-nilly exploration. There is data acquired, maps consulted, and decisions made by people who are experts in the field.

Not only are these trees immense citadels of the forest but there wing span of branches reach impressive lengths. As you walk through the Redwood forest however it is hard to distinguish significant differences from one bastion of bark from another. But there are those who “stand out”. And there are scientists and foresters who want to find them for research and nostalgia.

There is a similar mindset in the business of recruiting. In the course of our recent series on the top Internet businesses. We have likened these businesses to trees that have many branches. This is clearly the case in the Internet recruiting field.

We have discussed how one of the most common types of recruiting is soliciting Internet surfers to join as members or subscribers to a variety of sites. Many of these sites are free to join but many of them have a monthly fee also.

Very popular sites that rely on recruiting are the dating sites. The fact is there are the widely known web sites like eHarmony that use national advertising and paid endorsements. But the fact is there are also a plethora of relatively smaller dating sites that range from old school dating sites to racy sex seeking sites.

Obviously the style of advertising is determined by your budget and the practical aspect. Ordinarily the sites that lean to the more X rated material do not lend themselves to traditional ads in a public medium. There are of course many other outlets. But the reality is that the Internet recruiting is quite effective whether the dating sites are tame or risque’.

For example just take a peek at Twitter for a moment. How many times have you gotten an invite or spotted a tweet that had a “sexy” gal telling you she is waiting for you to contact her or check out her photos? The “she” points you to another site that requires you to join to visit. It may say it is free to join but most likely that will just get you into the “teaser” section. If you pay a small monthly fee you will be a subscriber that can visit places that the free memberships can’t.

The thing is the girl, or the guy pretending to be a girl, who put the tweet out there, will get paid for sending members to said web site. Recruiting 101. This is usually a volume business. And then there are those who recruit for their own site.

And then there is a totally different branch of recruiting. It is not a new business but the Internet has added a dimension to this application of recruiting. It is what some call the head hunting business. Here is how it works.

Many front line corporate businesses are in need of big time performers. A-list minds and cracker jack producers. But like the mightiest of the mighty sequoias the cream of the crop white-collar target needs to be sought after, found, and be persuaded to join your corporate team.

The search is left to corporate recruiter. Naturally there are some people that are targeted from the boss but there are many that need to be found. In years past the search was made up of phone calls and visits throughout the corporate world.

With today’s technology the Internet helps expedite a lot of foot work. Yes names, data, performance, reputation, location, and so on is readily available on the Net. An accomplished recruiter not only knows where to find this info but they know what to do with it.
Perhaps you are that type person? If you are the business of recruiting in this arena can be quite lucrative. Corporations are not only willing to offer the recruit an impressive salary package and some enticing sign on bonuses but they are willing to pay the recruiter a handsome finder’s fee.

Now while it is true that some recruiters go beyond the finding phase of recruiting but it is also a reality that people are willing to pay for the first phase of finding a gem and getting them on the hook. So for people that are gifted at finding things and using the Internet, there is a large window of opportunity for them to build themselves a nice recruiting business.

Do not kid yourself either. There are plenty of corporations that are looking for people to fill key positions in their staff. Proven commodities always trump some young wiper snapper just out of the University. But it is more cost effective to offer compensation or a finder’s fee then it is to pay someone a salary to look for the next needle in the haystack or the tallest sequoia in the corporate forest.

Are you the king of the scavenger hunt? Are you a persuader? There is a potential career for you if you are either.

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All of us love the expression “mixing business with pleasure” don’t we? It sounds scintillating or maybe even titillating. Oooooooh. Okay let’s get a hold of ourselves here. Figuratively speaking that is.

We all have heard of the social scene on line. Heck even the few people hiding in their closet from modern technology have heard of MySpace, Twitter or Facebook, to name a couple of the biggies. I suppose many people still see these social sites as a “kid” thing or an unemployed person’s pastime. (Just kidding about the unemployed person thing)

Truth is many “normal” busy people have a network of friends they converse with via their social site of preference. Even major news networks like CNN and Fox have segments where they entertain messages from their own social site page. Oprah even did a special show about her setting up her own Facebook page.

Which nicely segues into our discussion. Hey people, wake up! Social sites are not just about socializing anymore. Reality is that over recent years a new trend or more like a new application has revealed itself in the form of these mega popular social sites. Subscribers are using them as a marketing vehicle. For many it is a personal/business venue and for others it is primarily business.

As hinted at above, this practice is not limited to unknown and want to be’s. Search virtually any music artist or actor you know and they most likely have a social page in addition to a standard web page. Even politicians and other persons of note are jumping in on the act. I will shamelessly announce that even I have a MySpace page to share my music with the unsuspecting world.

Guess what? The overwhelming consensus among those utilizing the social pages is that it works! You know what that means don’t you?

Yes! If you don’t have one, get one. Subscribing and setting up your own page is as easy as tying your sneakers. There are also a variety of options to customize the appearance of your lay out if you wish. And you don’t have to choose just one social host either. And if you already have a page?

Learn how to use it to the fullest. Keep in mind this is not an exact science. Your approach will be contingent on what your business is and what you wish to accomplish by marketing your web page. Say what?

If you are offering a product form the creative arts, such as music, art, or literature then your page and marketing strategy will be pretty straightforward. Some sites, like MySpace even offer sites in category fashion. For example my site is a band site since I am highlighting my music.

Now if you sell real estate or you are a chiropractor and you are simply using your social site as an advertising outlet you will need to be a little more innovative. You may take a “this site is about me and what I do” or you could take a more direct “this is my business” presentation. Either can be successful. After all you can have a “Suzie the Realtor” site and a separate “Suzie the social gal” site and mix your business with pleasure that way or simply combine your personal life and business. This option will present yourself as a professional and yet a personable person.

Warning: Any on line marketing plan must be content driven! You need to be interesting regardless of the angle you come from.

It is important also to target an area if you are presenting a “local” service. As you build a list of friends and contacts, try and add persons in your local area. If your product or service has no boundaries, by all means add whoever you can from where ever you wish.

I find myself less anxious marketing myself across the social host site world because of the pleasure and business mix. You don’t have to put on just the salesman hat when you are on line at your social page.

Best of all they are free. Which by the way if you are new to the on line world it may be good practice to start on a social page and practice your marketing and content writing skills before you expand to the personal web page application.

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The old cliché is that men are the hunters and gatherers and women are the caretakers and the home makers. And while there may be a hint of truth to that cliché, it is often true that the average person loathes doing data searches.

Oh sure many of us will hop on line and do a search engine inquiry with some amount of eagerness. And we feel special when we find exactly what we are looking for. But on the other hand we are very frustrated when we can’t get our hands on the information we need or want. So much so that if we find a scenario where someone is offering the information we need for a reasonable fee, we will seriously consider purchasing it. And many of us will take them up on their offer. And, why not?

Selling information is not new by any stretch. Take Consumer Report magazine for example. It is a publication that puts products to a rigorous test and then reports the results to the public. The magazine is not free and yet it is enormously successful.

Or take the wacky, quirky guy who screams at you in his commercials. He runs around Washington DC wearing a suit with question marks all over. He sells Government Grant information. Information that is free if you look hard enough. But some people would rather pay someone who has apparently done the homework for them.

Some people will appropriately interject here that this guy is unethical and misleading, but my point is that there is a market for data nevertheless.

And yes there are people who are unscrupulous and slippery in this niche market. Sadly that is the case in any market. Our 2 examples demonstrate the potential for delivering desired data to the online public.

Yes indeed, people are more than willing to subscribe to a trusted data site just as they have already proven they would purchase a book or a magazine.

Just in the last couple weeks I have used a data service for a real estate / foreclosure venture, pricing trading cards, and getting market “blue book” value for vintage stereo equipment and I was willing to pay a monthly fee for this data. Now in the name of full disclosure I have seen many data sources that I thought were over priced and therefore I declined; but again, can’t we say that about any product or service?

How about you though? No doubt many of you are like me. However there is no question that there are some hunters and gatherers among us. Maybe you have been looking for a door to open to you? Or possibly, more specifically, you are looking for an opportunity to start an Internet business. Perhaps this is your door.

Is it possible that you have an affinity or an ability to compile usable information? It is relatively easy to set up. It is basically inexpensive to do also. It is not a matter of creating original content either. The concept is very direct. First you need to determine what type of data has a practical and at least a perceived value to a data seeking public. Then put in due diligence and amass accurate and applicable facts and provide them for your potential subscribers.

Obviously, the more meticulous you are, combined with genuine veracity, the more successful you will be. As you review the variety of sites that are already delivering the data, you will find you have many options and strategies to choose from. For example the trading card value site I use charges by the month. You can stop and start it at your convenience. This works for them because it is information that changes as time goes on. Thus they know you will likely want to return if you’re satisfied. Others sell data on a “one time fee” basis. Whatever works, right?

It may seem abstract or too much of a niche market for some, but the fact is there is a large percentage of Internet users out there looking for data. Consequently if you are a skilled data accumulator and are adept at dispensing useful data then you need to deliver it. And why not make a few bucks while you’re at it?

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The sun is dominating the radiant sky as you and 5 other adventurers negotiate your way down the white capped river in rubber boat. Coming around the bend the sound of rushing rapids is getting louder and the anticipation of another wave of excitement begins to build within you. Have you ever had this experience?

For those who have enjoyed a day of white water rafting you know exactly what I am describing. The ebb and flow of a day on the river can be exhilarating and yet challenging at the same time. Each twist and turn and rise and fall is expected and unexpected at the same time. And every trip down the river has new and satisfying results. And it always leaves you wanting to do it again. (Well at least for most of us. LOL)

Operating or managing a web site offers you a similarly rewarding experience. How is that you may be wondering?

Most likely most of us are drawn to the Internet for a number of reasons. Often times we are seeking information, enjoying recreation, or opening doors of opportunity. And we are never disappointed. In fact we should be seizing the influx of new applications that continue to emerge onto the scene. In what sense?

Among the plenitude of Net users, there is a high percentage of us who have turned our affinity for the web into a money making proposition. And like our white water rafting trip we never know what is around the bend. The reality is that we can embrace it or simply let it slip by.

You see whether we are new to the web business world or we have been doing it for awhile, it is wise to utilize as much as the web developers and software programmers have to offer. Let’s look at this in a practical way.

In a typical scenario a web master will perform his magic of building and maintaining his/her web page by way of a publishing system. In fact the advent of these publishing tools is one of the many amazing programs introduced from days gone by. And boy, are we grateful for that! And for those who were not on board prior to the more recent applications, well let’s just say, you didn’t miss anything. Anyhow back to the discussion.

The use of a publishing system cannot be over stated when it comes to design, editing and feeding your web page with “stuff”. And they offer an abundant amount of options concerning web aesthetics and are extremely user friendly. And the applications and choices offered by these publishing tools are always getting better and increasingly easier. Not to mention raising the web standards to another level. This is why it is important to stay abreast of what is going on.

In fact there are a growing number of supportive or supplemental programs and applications that have been developed to enhance your publishing system. It is not uncommon then for web masters to have a Word Press blogging platform (as one example) with a two or three other programs designed to embellish their site beyond or in a different direction of where their Word Press has taken them. It’s all about options.

Sometimes working with various applications has spawned new ideas or new combinations that would have not been explored without having discovered what the web designing world has to offer.

Keep in mind it is just as important that we approach each new application with open eyes and preparation. Just like when we are white water rafting we enter the racing waters with a healthy mix of curiosity, readiness, and confidence. It is not advisable to forge ahead with a reckless abandonment.

Looking at the big picture though, we cannot let ourselves be complacent or intimidated to expand our knowledge of web management and design either. Along with a fresh and abundant content and a solid marketing plan we need to polish up on what’s new.

Because in the end, aside from your own rewarding undertaking, you want your visitors to be taken on a wondrous adventure that is packed full of eager anticipation of what’s around the next bend.

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