Why I Love GoDaddy’s Website Tonight- You Can Have a VERY Affordable Web Site

Well, anyone that knows me knows I like to save money. Louis Vuitton purses and laptop cases are the exception ;-). Anyway, I believe that no matter how much money you have saving money should be a priority. When I first started out I did not want to spend much money on anything. I found Website Tonight and it was actually affordable, so I tried it out. Originally there were not many options, but now the options are fantastic. So, I am going to review what I love about Website Tonight and you can make your own conclusions.

My Website Tonight Favorites

The Templates are Customizable

You can customize your look completely by adding graphical or photo headers, choosing colors, changing the look of the navigation and with CSS change the font colors, link colors, navigation text, rollovers and more. It is simple and quick and every Web site can look different. No one needs to know the site is actually a template. You also have access to the CSS code to change things up and really customize.

AFFORDABLE

Here is a great example of something that is affordable:

  • Unlimited pages
  • 4 GB of disk space
  • 200 GB of Bandwidth
  • 1,000 email addresses
  • Unlimited email forwarding
  • Free SSL Certificate
  • Price-12 mo: $11.69/mo 24 mo: $11.04/mo 3 6 mo: $10.39/mo then add a 20% off coupon code

Options

  • You can add and delete content blocks easily
  • You have 16 different page layouts to choose from
  • With a click you can add javascripts, subscripts, superscripts…
  • With a click you can add forms, tables, flash, RSS feeds, predefined extras, calender, date and time stamp, scrolling marquee (Some people actually still use these…), hit counters and photo albums
  • Easy photo adding and resizing (no cropping) within the CMS. You can also quickly tell the system how to wrap text, choose a border color and width and add captions
  • Easy to add video
  • Easy to upload PDFs and Word docs
  • So easy to add anchors
  • Simple to add outbound links (a no follow option is not available yet, but I emailed about it). You do have access the HTML off every page so you can add it.
  • The system is set up to allow you to link page to page within the site, which makes it easy if you are to make changes later.
  • You can edit navigation very easily and tell it to link out of the site, within the site and add links to email. You can have different navigation for different pages if you would like.
  • You an create shared blocks to add to other pages and save tons of time. When you change one they all change…so simple.
  • Complete text editing and options to choose from
  • You can preview non-stop and see what a site will look like and how it will function live. Fix all the problems before you launch
  • You can add custom meta tags within the properties area
  • You can add a forum, a guestbook, a quick shopping cart, a flash intro page (DON’T)
  • You can have password protected pages
  • Publish only selected pages
  • They have a massive photo gallery you can choose from to increase the visual appeal of your Web site.

Must Haves

  • Backup restore- say you go in and screw something up, just restore…all fixed
  • You can drag and drop content blocks…move them around easily
  • Google Webmaster Tools is built in
  • Killer Free Stats- tells you tons
  • An organize site section that lets you drag and drop to create subpages and main pages
  • In the properties area you have full access to each page’s title-tags, description and keywords
  • A Google sitemap/XML sitemap section that lets you quickly see and change the settings for each page
  • Say you design the whole thing and then want to change templates, change it and all your stuff remains. Your text, photos etc.
  • A password vault makes things much easier for everyone
  • 404 Error Behavior options
  • DNS Manager within the CMS
  • Coding is pretty clean.

XML Sitemap

The CMS allows the user to choose settings per page for the XML Sitemap which automatically updates when you add pages. So simple

Template Designs

There are many templates to choose from, the key is to not look at one and assume your site has to look like the template. Just choose a layout…navigation above the header graphic, below the header graphic, side navigation etc. There are many photo design options. Just choose and customize. People tell me all the time that they want a site that is not link anyone else’s. What is funny is that I see sites all day that are built on the template in Dreamweaver. The looks is just different. This is the same thing.

My Experience With Website Tonight

I have now customized over 150 Web sites with Website Tonight. I even made a business out of it. I started a few businesses with the templates and they have done stunningly well in the search engines. In fact, they have passed up and stayed above the sites done by local Web designers. Follow Google’s guidelines, optimize and work on your backlinks and you will kick butt in all the search engines.

Are there things I would like to see added? Yes and I tell them that. A search box would be nice, a no follow option, more template designs, an easier way to add the Yahoo and MSN meta tag and a more effective shopping cart…so far everything I have emailed or talked with the Website Tonight team about has happened. They stay up on changes and they want the sites to be compliant with search engine guidelines.

Why Bring Website Tonight Up?

Well, I get anywhere from 20-50 hits a day from people researching the product and more importantly it is affordable! So darn affordable and right now America, as you know, isn’t doing so well economically. All businesses need a Web site and this is a way to get one that is effective, optimizable, affordable and easy to maintain. I show businesses how to use the software and they never have to pay me again. The site is theirs- they can update, add pages with a click, organize, add pictures. Additionally, if I get hit by a truck the site is in their name and GoDaddy has really good customer support, they will help you with any problem you have 24/7. GoDaddy handles any problem and clients don’t have to pay me anything!

You can afford a Web site. There are many affordable options, but this one is super affordable. If you are interested go to www.GoDaddy.com

Melissa- SEO Aware - Sarasota, Florida.

GoDaddy.com WebSite Tonight 125x125


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July 31, 2008 | Filed Under Web Design

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I played with Cuil like everyone else, so far it is a big disappointment

Well, the first thing I noticed this morning is a lot of proxy scrapers instead of domains for many well-established Web sites and/or blogs. As a result I noticed that many sites that have been around for the last year or more are not in the index which is interesting because I read on CNN that Cuil’s index is at least three times larger than Googles. Well, it may be larger, but here is something Cuil may want to think about…

Google has not been sitting around just taking in money and playing the Wii all day. They have been working to provide quality results for their users. Do we all agree how they go about it? Not always, but no one can deny that a Web user can typically find what they are looking for. Are there those that cheat the system? Yes! is Google perfect? No. BUT they are the big dog and I would not have come out doing interviews and rivaling Google unless my product could provide quality and relevant results that at least equaled Google’s.

Terms I Played With

I searched for local services and guess what? The results sucked!

  • Sarasota Marketing= Nothing

  • Sarasota Advertising = a lot of sites that don’t offer advertising services

  • Sarasota Marketing Services = a lot of PR sites and only one local result

  • vSphinn = Well, Sphinn comes up with a lot of there pages, some from Search Engine Round Table and then one from SEOmoz…I guess it is relevant, but the set up is a bit irritating

  • McCain = The results loaded very slow (could be from all of us testing it out). McCain’s site was first, but #2 was www.k-state.edu/mccain/ about a McCain Auditorium. However, there was a tab for “John McCain” that narrowed the results down. This was kind of nice, but honestly the results are too difficult to read. Maybe I am too use to Google…

  • SEO = Well, I was not expecting all the results i received. Cuil has a little gray side box with topics that have a drop down with related terms. I clicked on Search Engine Optimization and Vanessa Fox was one of the terms. I am sure she will love that. HOWEVER, when I looked at Google Employees Vanessa Fox was also listed and technically she is no longer and employee, So, I think it is time to update the index.

I played with many terms, but you get the point…

Domain and Appearance

When clients are asking me about which domain name to choose I always tell them to pick something that is easy to remember and rolls off the tongue. Well, Cuil does, but the spelling is won’t be easy for everyone (older generation).

When I was going through the Web design process with the new SEOAware.com site my Web designer really wanted me to go all dark, because it looked cool and complimented the design, but I always wanted a lighter background because I feel the text is easier to read. Cuil’s results pages are white, but the home page is like a slap in the face too me. Just too dark.

The Almighty Google

I remember when my husband came home one night and said I needed to try this new search engine “Google” and we should buy stock in it too. Well, we didn’t have money, but I tried it and I have never turned away from Google. I like it. I am use to it and I am one of those that doesn’t like change. I have to say that I will not be walking away from Google or my iGoogle until someone creates a product 100 times better and I really don’t believe that will ever happen.

Google runs the world in my opinion and I will tell you what I tell all my clients, if Google tells you to jump through firey hoops with bells on I suggest you do it. Cuil is a nice idea and all….Surch.com was too, but who can compete with Google’s outstanding search engine with the easy to remember name and easy user interface? I don’t know. Maybe someone will. I wish all the luck to Cuil, but there is some major work that needs to be done.

Many people hate Google because they have “rules” and “guidelines” that they feel are unfair and a pain in the butt, Well, I won’t comment on that, I will just say that it is obvious to me that Google is trying to provide quality and relevant results because for awhile we were just getting junk. They have done a good job the last few years cleaning things up and providing results I need and want. So, I applaud Google in their efforts.

Melissa

July 28, 2008 | Filed Under Google, Industry News

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SearchCap SEO Aware Style- Favorite Articles From the Past Year

These are articles I have bookmarked, blogged about, adding to favorites and sent to clients. Great articles by some very smart people.

SEO

Long SEO list, so I am splitting it up a bit

visual break….

and another visual break….

you know….

Keywords

Analytics

Link Building

Google

Social Media - SEM

Web Design

Blogging

Business

Other

Please Add to the list!

Melissa- SEOAware.com

July 16, 2008 | Filed Under Article Recommendations

9 Comments 

Welcome to the New SEO Aware Web Site and Blog

We are happy to have our new site up and going. We hope you enjoy the new design.

July 16, 2008 | Filed Under Blog Business

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What is SEO Consulting? Well, It Depends on the Vision of the Consultant

I have had quite a few meetings the last couple of weeks. In nearly all of them I have spoke with CEOs, Presidents or those making the decisions about how their Internet marketing dollars will be spent. Many have paid SEO companies for work and many have paid consultants. The question is always, why I am different? Why should they trust me after getting burned?

An Ethical, Educated and Focused Vision- My Vision

Anyone that reads anything I write understands ethics are important to me. I think without them you have nothing. However, my ethics and yours can differ significantly. So, how do I keep myself in check? Well, when money becomes more important to me than the client’s welfare I will know then that my morals and ethics are dropping off. Hey, I want a pay check just like the next guy/gal, but what I have found is that by being honest, even if it means I am getting nothing more than a one hour consulting fee, I create trust and that trust brings me more and more business. I don’t have to lie, cheat or manipulate. Honesty works and I only found this out by being honest in the first place and just seeing how things went. I didn’t start out being honest hoping for some kind of good karma…

Education

I look at marketing strategies a bit different than some. I have a B.A. in Psych and a Masters specializing in mental health. By studying how people learn, what influences people to buy/invest in a thought or product and learning about consumer buying I have an advantage. Industrial and consumer psychology are very interesting subjects and beneficial to those in our industry. I guarantee every consultant can benefit from taking these courses. I have 89 hours of education from just psychology-based classes and I could learn so much more.

You may be thinking, “Well SEO isn’t about Psychology”. It depends on how you look at things. Copywriting is a sales technique; Psychology is a part of it. I feel, and have said several times, you have to please the consumer and the search engines. I can optimize and get the search engines to index pages, but who says people are going to invest in a product or service when they find that page? They won’t unless they trust the site…something has to sell them on the service/product. This brings us back to what how consultants are different. I don’t just focus on SEO, but also on what is going to influence the consumer.

Daily Education

My SEO consulting includes marketing advice based on Psychology and Sociology, but it also includes the knowledge I have from studying and researching everyday. What are the changes in SEO, SEM, SMM and Internet marketing? How are industries changing? What has changed on the web in these industries? You only know by reading daily. I never assume I know all. I know barely anything in the grand scheme of things…I need to continually educate myself. Part of my ethics is that this is my responsibility to my clients. Daily education is part of my vision.

A Focused Vision- Not Better Than Anyone Else’s, Just Mine

I want to help my clients create a solid foundation and I want to help them meet their goals. If their goals are to make money than we determine how that needs to be done. If it is to educate the public we find the most effective ways to do that. If their goal is to appear to be the most trustworthy company I will help with that. Many companies have several goals; some I don’t agree with and a business relationship is not possible, but most of them have pretty solid ideas that can enhance their company’s future. I help my clients meet their goals and I will work with their offline marketing teams fully; offline supports the online marketing. It really is a must.

Is it part of my ethics or is it from years of Psych and counseling education that I want to do what is best for the client? I tend to think it is more ethics, but I do believe my devotion to clients has been enhanced by my education. I feel very responsible and this drives me to do a better job.

I want to use every resource possible to help my clients achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. So, I constantly work hard to learn all I can. I also surround myself with trusted vendors that can provide the things I cannot. I have no problem handing work off if I feel someone can provide much better results than I can. So, this is my vision and your vision may be different.

So, What is SEO Consulting?

It really depends. Consultants are not created equally. We all have individual personalities and different things to offer our clients. Sometimes we are a match and sometimes we are not, but if you are planning on hiring an SEO Consultant maybe think about asking them about their vision for your company, their vision about their position and their ethics. There are plenty of articles out there about what to ask an SEO company or consultant. I would say use those articles and ask questions, but it is just important to get a feeling that the company or consultant you are working with is focused on working hard, being fair and being honest.

Melissa- SEO Aware
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July 9, 2008 | Filed Under SEO

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