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Finding a promising web hosting company for your internet based business is an essential piece to the puzzle. This is the company that has control of your server space, web services and file maintenance, so you want to make sure you are protected. Here are 5 things to look for in a promising web host.

1. Reliability
There is nothing more important than reliability when it comes to selecting a web hosting company. There are a number of things that can go wrong within an internet based business and it is assuring to know that your web host is there for you. Prior to selecting a company, take the time to look at the percentage of time their server is working properly. If the server tends to be down 15% of the time or more, this kills valuable time that you could be working.

2. Contact info
Part of a web hosting company being reliable is also them being available. If your server goes down, you want to know that you can get a hold of the company as soon as possible. The best way to check on the support personnel is to call them up prior to agreeing to anything to test them out.

3. Domain name
With thousands of internet based businesses on the web and millions of web addresses already taken, it can be difficult coming up with an original domain name. However, every web host should be able to provide you with one for a reasonable price. Check into the support they give you for finding a quality domain name and the prices each company charges for a domain name.

4. CGI access
Depending on the type of internet based business you have, you may want to or need to run your own programs. In order to do this, you must have CGI access. Not every web host offers this, and not every company offers the same capabilities for their CGI access. When researching into a web hosting company, check to make sure they offer CGI access that allows you to read, write, and execute on your server.

5. POP account
Having a POP account is vital for your business because of the protection that it offers. A POP account gives you password-protected access to mail that is sent through your website email address.

There are several things you want to look into prior to selecting a web hosting company. The more questions you can come up with to ask the company and the more research you put into your decision, the better off you will be.

Following are five ways that can help increase your rankings in the search engines and gain much needed exposure.

Traffic Exchanges

These are exceptional tools when used right. It can be used with great success when dealing with MLM, affiliate marketing and home based business opportunities.

One of the best ways to use traffic exchanges is to create your own separate landing page for the product or opportunity you’re promoting. Always try to stand out from the crowd by using something other than what all the other affiliates are using. You can build your own landing pages for free here: http://www.yoursqueezepage.com/?ref=5161

Then by simply enticing other surfers with some free information and using an autoresponder to capture their name and email address you can quickly build your own opt-in list of interested prospects. Getresponse.com is a good option, and has a paid and free option.

Write a Newsletter

While this may seem time consuming, it really doesn’t have to be. There are hundreds of article directories floating around with articles written by experts in almost every field. Infogoround is a very good one.

Simply use them within the guidelines prescribed by the directory and author, add a few lines from yourself as an introduction and throw in an ad and you’ve got yourself a newsletter.

Write and Submit Your Own Articles

As the previous point shows, there are many hundreds of article directories out there and literally thousands of web sites, ezines and newsletter publishers looking for new and unique content every day. In Isnare.com you can submit 5 articles to thousands of directories for $10.

By writing your own articles and including a link back to your site you’re not only branding yourself as an expert but also creating valuable back links to your site. This is a huge factor when it comes to search engine rankings which bring the best free traffic.

Online Communities and Forums

By joining online forums you can also gain back links to your site by posting comments and using a sig file with your links in it.

Beware though that most forums frown on blatant advertising. You have to attempt to add something of worth with your posts or you may get banned. Adlandpro is one of the best online communities to promote your business. You can join here: http://www.startyourownbusinessonline.com/adlandpro.htm

Exchange Links

This may actually be the most difficult tactic. You must find sites that are in the same niche as yours but not necessarily in direct competition.

You also have to find sites that already have a good ranking in the search engines for this to be effective.

Always approach any site owner with grace and dignity. Be tactful and courteous. Remember, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar.

Use all five of these tactics on a regular basis and you’ll surely see a climb in traffic and search engine ranking.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is extremely important for any internet company but also important for web sites from brick and mortar businesses. SEO is important to bring the right targeted audience to your website. There are many myths about SEO, some are true, some were valid a few years ago, and many have no basis.

Myth 1: Multiple Domains

One SEO tactic involves etting up multiple domain names to bring more traffic to your business. This can be helpful, but often is not. Not only would this be expensive (yearly fees for domain name and maintenance) but would be very time consuming to maintain all the websites.

Myth 2: Search Engine Submission

Resubmitting your information every few weeks is not necessary, but could even reduce your priority ranking. Once your website is in the database of the search engines, there is no need to update your information.

Myth 3: Meta Tags

Another myth is that meta tags increase visitors. These might have been true five – ten years ago years ago, but current search engines do not place priority with the inclusion or absence of meta tags on a website. One important thing to remember is that the search engines do use the meta description tags when displaying your site in the SERPS. So while the meta tags may not affect your rankings, well written meta tags can increase the number of searchers who visit your site.

Myth 4: SEO Is Too Costly

Other myths include the value of SEO. They feel SEO experts are a costly, unnecessary expense. Marketing efforts are very costly. Direct mail, banner ads, radio or TV ad time, print advertisement, e-mails lists and trade fairs can all be more expense than SEO. Some companies believe an in house SEO effort can be as effective as an SEO company. This is a myth too, and SEO is a function that should be outsourced to ensure the company is aware of the latest trends. Traffic on you your website can be increased drastically by a SEO professional.

Myth 5: SEO Doesn’t Matter

The other major myth is that when people are looking for a specific company, they type in the website url. Since the exact name of the website is rarely known, many people (estimated at close to 90%) save time by using a search engine to quickly and easily locate a website. For example, even for major websites like http://Msn.com or http://Amazon.com, people use a search engine to locate the website instead of going directly to the site. SEO is important so that your business may be found on the search engines.

Have you been reading about link building but don’t know where to start? Are you an experienced SEO specialist using the same methods you always used? Read on to find out how new linking rules will affect the future of your website.

One way links work for search positioning. There’s no doubt about it. But, have you considered that what works today may not work in the future?

One exciting aspect about search engines is that nobody really knows everything. That leaves room for webmasters who are willing to research, test, and put into practice the best search engine optimization techniques.

These five rules for one way linking can help steer you in the right direction.

Rule #1: You have to be proactive. Google considers a high quality link something you have to earn. You earn these links by partnering with sites. In order for a partnership to work, you have to develop a relationship. I think more webmasters are open to establishing vital community relationships. It takes trust and a lot of patience for these relationships builds. Focus on what you can do for someone else.

Rule #2: Keep an open mind. High PageRank still lingers in most webmasters’ minds. But, by concentrating on high PageRank sites, we miss out on other linking opportunites. Most of us understand that PageRank doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why it’s important to seek out lower PR, high quality sites. The advantage is that these webmasters are more open to establishing partnerships.

Rule #3: Site age is a big factor. I’ve put together my owning ranking system for evaluating a site’s link “worthiness”. One big factor is site age. Any site that has been around since the late 1990s is going to have a higher “score”. These sites have weathered search engine updates, bad economies, and bad press. All else being equal, I tend to lean towards site age as the determining factor for a potential link partner.

Rule #4: Stop worrying about what you can’t contol. I get questions all the time from people wanting to know if they can re-design their sites, or link to other sites, or change hosting companies. They want to know if these activities will ruin their search engine rankings. My response is always the same: do what’s best for you and your customers. Don’t NOT do something because you’re worried it will ruin your SEO work. If you have a solid customer base, your search engine rankings won’t be as crucial. The viral aspect of the web is extremely underestimated. Search traffic is only one source of traffic.

Rule #5: Can you be trusted?. Having a solid client list, establishing relationships with other webmasters, provding great customer service. These activites are all based on trust. Can you be trusted to follow through? If you are trustworthy, your link building will be trustworthy. If you’re in it for the short term, like all spammers, then you can’t be trusted.

The web is wide open for those webmasters who are willing to develop relationships for the long run. In the future, one way links will be graded on trust. So, you need to ask yourself, am I trustworthy? It’s give and take. Are you willing to give before you can take?

Don’t be terrified by the following statistics: 1. 95% of network marketers never make it past the 1st year. 2. 3 out of 4 distributors quit within their first 90 days. This high percentage of failure applies to every aspect of human life – no more than 5% of human beings could achieve real success. The majority of the online business owners fail because they ignore or forget to lay a solid foundation. A house build on sand can never stand long.

It is true that online business offers many advantages. There is no inventory expense, no worry about management and employee relationship, no hassle with payroll, refunds or product returns and no headache over 9 to 5 routine and work burnout. You are your own boss and you work at your favorite pace in the comfort of your own home. You can make a fortune over a shorter period of time once you are in the right track.

However, as long as it’s defined as business, home based online marketing business can not go far beyond the basic requirements for a business. There is no shortcut in building up any business. How many beginners, blinded by the “get-rich-fast” schemes, were misled by the little work and 5 or 6 digit income promise that floods the internet business world? Just look at the fast-changing internet marketing business world, what are left behind are those products or services that sustains the basic demands of the market while the crazy money making Hypes vanish soon like bubbles. The following are 5 essential components to lay solid foundation and achieve success in your home business.

1. Do Your Homework.

Before you plunge into any online business, do research on the programs and products available on the internet markets. Choose your niche market and product. Exam your attitude, availability and capability. Find something that you are really interested in, which will inspire you later when you feel discouraged. This mind-set period is extremely important, which is the first cornerstone to build your mansion of business. Your ability is what you are capable of doing, your motivation determines what you do and your attitude or your mind-set determines how well you do it.

2. Create Your Business Plan

It would be much easier for any business to be on the right track with the guideline or roadmap of a business plan. Your business plan defines your target audience, your budget and advertising, the ways to reach your prospects and build up your opt-in lists and strategies to turn your prospects into customers. It guides you to attain your short and long term goals. Give yourself at least 3 to 6 months to learn the basics of your business.

3. Select Carefully Your Sponsor and Program

Like any business, online marketing business has its unique marketing tools and strategies. As a beginner, you must learn how to use these tools and where to find the marketing strategies. Finding the sponsor/program that can teach you these secrets makes the difference between success and failure. Choose the business model with proven records of success and the one who can provide you with detailed and systematical training after you sign up. “Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.” The value of a right program and guiding sponsor is priceless, which means half success of your future business.

4. Duplicate What You Have Learned

Once you find the sponsor/program that works for you, follow orders and repeat what your sponsor has done to make his/her business successful. Apply the principles and rules you are taught. Nothing but action brings your business to a new stage. After you have commended these strategies and mastered the secret weapons, you can start your own program or other programs by duplicating what you have learned during this apprenticeship. You business grow s in the process of your learning and taking actions.

5. Be Persistent

No one can run before learning to walk. The above four essentials are the basic steps to build up your business. As far as your final success is concerned, perseverance counts. Always remember: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison. Focus and patience help you win the race.