Launch Date: May 23, 2001
Present # of subscribers: 4143
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"Everybody knows good counsel except him that
has need of it."
- German Proverb
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Article 1: Use 404 Pages to Your Advantage
Article 2: 17 WAYS TO USE THE WORD "FREE" IN YOUR ADS
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By Lauri Harpf
"Not found
The requested URL /file.html was not found on this server.
Apache/1.3.14 Server at www.yourdomain.com Port 80"
Does that look familiar? If you've ever accidentally tried to access a page that doesn't exist, possibly by following
an outdated link or by misspelling the name of the page, you've probably seen something like the above appear on
your screen. You might have attempted to correct the error by checking the URL for mistakes, but it is even more
likely that you just clicked "Back" and returned where you came from, never visiting the site again.
For a surfer, encountering a "404 page" is a nuisance. For a webmaster, they can be far more problematic, causing a
reduction in traffic which in turn means losing a part of the precious advertising revenues or sales the site's life
depends on. You can minimize the amount of 404 errors by periodically checking your pages for broken links, but it
is impossible to get completely rid of them. So, what can you do?
The solution - Custom 404 pages
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The best way to avoid losing visitors to 404's is to replace the standard and unfriendly error message with a
custom page. Fortunately the task is relatively simple and can be performed by anyone who owns a site that has its own
domain name.
As different server softwares handle things in their own ways, there is no single method of creating a custom error
page that works with every system. The following instructions can be applied by those who have sites hosted under Apache,
which is a very widely used program. If you don't know what software your host is running, contact them and ask.
To start the process, use an FTP program such as CuteFTP to connect to your server. Search for a file named
".htaccess". Should you find it, download the file to your home computer
for editing. If the file is not there, don't worry, you'll just have to create it yourself.
Grab a normal text editor and open the file, or if you don't have it, open up a blank file. Type the following into the
first line of the file:
ErrorDocument 404 http://www.yourdomain.com/404page.html
After you're done, save the file as plain text and make sure that it is named ".htaccess", without quotes of course.
The hard part is now over, all that is left is to create the custom 404 page (404page.html) that loads when a 404
error occurs.
What should my 404 page look like?
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Of course, you can put anything you want into it, but if your purpose is to encourage your visitors to click further
into your site instead of leaving, the page should obey some basic principles.
1. Don't give users a reason to panic. Including a large heading that screams "ERROR" is likely to make the visitor
feel that he/she has done something wrong or that your site is not working properly. A better approach is to first
greet them with a warm welcome and then explain that the URL they were looking for could not be found, but should
they browse around your site, they will surely find the information they need.
2. Make the page to look and feel similar to the rest of the pages on your site. Include your site's menu on the 404
page to give visitors a fast and easy way to continue exploring instead of clicking away. A well-designed 404
page with plenty of links is far more attractive than one that has just black text on a white background and a link
to your homepage.
3. If you have the skills, consider adding a search feature on the page that allows people to search your site for
matches. Often your navigation menu will provide a clue on how the user might reach the information he/she would like
to see, but if it doesn't there is a great risk of losing the visit. Placing a search utility on the page increases
the likelihood of the user finding the desired page and thus remaining on your site.
After both the .htaccess file and the HTML page are ready, FTP to your server, upload the pages and enjoy your new
custom 404 error page!
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Lauri Harpf runs the A Promotion Guide website, where he offers free information about search engines, directories
and other promotion methods. His site can be found at http://www.apromotionguide.com/
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The word "FREE" is still the most powerful,... the most often used word in advertising today! If you have anything to offer FREE to others, you can use this powerful word! It pulls orders better than any other word! Here's some ways to use it:
ONE thing FREE when you buy Another! This can be the way to get
people to order from you! A second one is FREE, with the purchase of the first!
Buy 2 - get the third FREE! This can be used to get MORE and
LARGER orders! Giving away ONE, with the purchase of two others!
Fourth FREE, with purchase of Three! Tire stores and Publishers
offer a 4th FREE, when you buy Three others at regular price!
FREE "Trial Size"! Give away one that's smaller than usual,
hoping that people will LIKE what you give them, and want to buy more!
FREE Bedframe, with purchase of A King Set! Lots of mattress
stores use this type of ad! Offering some sort of "premium" FREE with purchase!
FREE Introductory Class! This usually is offered with purchase
of a Computer; Microwave oven; etc. (Free Memberships in clubs, etc!)
Use it FREE for 30 days! Allow people to use something; to use
your product or service, FREE, for a limited time! (Enticing them to order!)
FREE Service with each purchase! This is used often by Pizza
companies, and cleaning services. Free delivery; Free Folding; etc.
FREE Interest for 3 months! Many loan companies and others offer this to entice customers to buy from them! It's delaying
something for a time!
Fast service, or it's FREE! It's Hot, or it's Free! (7-11 offers Hot coffee). Denny's says "10 Minutes, or it's FREE!"
Customers come to see!
2nd Topping is FREE, with purchase of a Large Pizza! That about
says it all! (Free Extras; Free Colors; Free Inks; No extra charge at Printers!!)
FREE Details! This is used by a LOT of advertisers, who sell
products by mail! Let 'em know you'll send information FREE, just to write and ask!
Buy 2 ads, get a 3rd (or 4th) FREE! This is another way to get
Long Term advertisers! They get FREE ads, with every 3rd or 4th they buy.
FREE Commission Circulars! Many Prime Sources are willing to
offer you FREE circulars (some for postage) to obtain dealers! Free Dealer Info!!
FREE Typesetting, with purchase of an ad! Publishers offer this
FREE service to obtain new advertisers! (Why pay extra for it, if it's FREE?)
FREE Catalog! Many companies send out Catalogs FREE to anyone
who writes and asks for one! More sales result! (Free Downline Recruiting!)
FREE Sample Copy! Some companies will be willing to send you ONE FREE to entice you to buy more later! (Free Cassette; Free Introductory Video, etc!)
Thank you & GOD BLESS,
Stephan Bourget, Internet Network Marketing Consultant
Who is teaching you specifically, step by step, philosophy by philosophy, concept by concept... how to succeed in Internet Marketing? Learn from a millionaire who has done it.
http://club.bourget-marketing-international.com
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IMReporter's Editor
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