Hybrid Domainer

What Does Google Think of Single Page Websites ?

By: Raymond Hackney

I had a reader email me a question about one page websites. They wanted my opinion on whether not Google would look favorably or unfavorably on a website of just one page.

In the past I have gotten some feedback from others on this topic, saying that it was usually only used by mlm or buy my ebook type sites. I think that is more of a squeeze page they were talking about, and  this reader meant a whole site that was not looking to sell a product but provide information.

Luckily someone asked Matt Cutts this last month and Matt gave the answer in the video below.

 

Forbes: "5 Common Website Mistakes That Are Driving Your Customers Away"

By: RH

Nathalie Lussier wrote a nice piece on Forbes today about 5 common mistakes that many webmasters make and how it may be costing the site customers.

Lussier detailed 5 mistakes, the first being:

1. Designing for the “Cool” Factor

You want your startup to stand out from all the others out there, so you design your logo and your site with lots of flair. Figuring that a flashy design will stick in people’s minds, you forgo clarity.

While people may think your site looks good, they won’t remember what your service or product is all about. They might not even grasp your concept while they’re on your site, causing them to hit their back button or move on without a second thought.

Read the rest of the article on Forbes

*tip of the cap to Daina Linton"

Design Your Websites With Impact, A Guide To Webpage Anatomy

By: RH

Graphitas designer this illustrated look at how to make your website standout. The infographic looks to illustrate the impact of page positioning.

Design with Impact Infographic by Graphitas

Common Website Navigation Mistakes

By: RH

Kiss Metrics wrote an article that I believe is worth reading for anyone building websites on their own and is looking for tips on what to do and what not to do.

The article contains 5 mistakes that are commonly made by webmasters. The site also gives 5 examples of websites that get it right.

The mistake I found most interesting was drop down menus. I don't dislike them when I am on a website, but here is what they said in the article:

Mistake #3: Drop Down Menus

Drop down menus are bad for two reasons. Depending on how they’re programed, can be difficult for search engines to crawl. But there’s another, bigger reason…

Drop down menus are annoying, according to usability studies from the NN Group. This is because as visitors, we move our eyes much faster than we move the mouse. When we move the mouse to a menu item, we’ve already decided to click…and then the drop down gives us more options. It’s a moment of friction in our minds as visitors.

Read the whole article here

Web Design Trends of the Fortune 500

By:RH

Fortune 500 Web Design Trends

Go Globe put together an interesting look at how the Fortune 500 designs their websites. For those looking for hints and tips from some of the biggest companies in the world, this infographic is for you.

GO-Globe.com

 

There Sure Are A Lot Of Word Press Sites In The World

By: RH

WP Frog put together an illustrated look at how many sites use Word Press and the most popular plug ins.

Since WordPress was born, 9 years ago, and until now, in 2012, its users reached more than 11 million. Some of the most used plugins for Wordpress are All in One Seo Pack (with more than 9 million downloads), Google XML sitemaps (with almost 7 million downloads) and Contact Form 7 (with more than 5 million downloads). Currently, around 22% from new websites are running on a WordPress platform.

Courtesy of WP Frog

Building A Small Business Brand Online

By: RH

Planning Pod is a company focused on helping you manage your small business. From looking at their site they have an app that will help small business.

They put together a nice infographic on building a small business brand.

The 11 steps they recommend taking is a nice little checklist for those building their brand.

Courtesy of PlanningPod.com

10 Essential Features For Creating Great Product Pages

By: RH

Once you have your website built you want to make sure that you increase conversions on your ecommerce site. Creating product pages can be tricky and cumbersome. You want to provide the best visual experience while at the same time getting your product message across.

Econsultancy put together a post of 10 essential features for creating great product pages. The 10 features may not all be needed or plausible for every site. You will need to test them and see how they improve metrics on your website. The article does give a nice breakdown of each feature and can be used as a guide for those especially new to the business of developing ecommerce websites.

The article in my opinion is a must read for anyone "stuck" in their development process or frustrated by a lack of stickiness to their site.

The article looks at features such as user reviews and product videos, it provides actual case studies and what is working for some retailers including QuikSilver and Comet.

Read the article here

photo credit: websprite

For those that think domainers don't develop anything good, WRONG

By: RH

Jerusalem.com is a visually stunning website. The site provides a 3D look through the Holy City and much, much more.

The domain is owned and developed by Igal Lichtman/Mrs Jello.

The domain was purchased in 2010 for $510,000

The site offers hd pictures and hd videos that are just spectacular. The site claims to offer the only accurate map of the Holy City.

The site offers a 3D tour or you can choose a video tour with your host Joel Simhony.

The map is truly incredible and detailed. You will feel like you are there.

The site also provides the opportunity to get your own @jerusalem.com email address.

(click to enlarge)

Jerusalem.com has released an app on the Itunes store

Description

Only $0.99 Through the END of August and then $19.99 or more. Compatible with iPad 2 & 3.
3D Interactive learning experience allowing you to visit on your own iPad the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial & resurrection and the most important Christian pilgrimage destination in the world. Traced to the last detail, incredibly exact and with reliable content verified by leading religious authorities.

When people say domainers never develop anything worthwhile or more than mini sites just send them to Jerusalem.com

VC Tunes into You Tube Channels

By: RH

The Wall Stree Journal did a piece on Venture Capital firms making investments into popular You Tube channels. A lot of the investment is coming more from Los Angeles based firms than Silicon Valley. It makes sense that Hollywood is looking at the content being created by independents to small scale studios. These content creators are another source of creative original programming.

From the article:

In the past two weeks alone, two YouTube channels, AwesomenessTV and Balcony TV, have received funding from venture capital firms including Greycroft Partners, MK Capital, New World Ventures and Polaris Venture Partners. Machinima, the video network with over 3.5 billion YouTube video views, has raised more than $50 million at a valuation around $190 million, AllThingsD reported in May.

“This is the third wave of programming from broadcast to cable to YouTube,” said Mark Terbeek, a partner at MK Capital which led AwesomenessTV’s $3.5 million Series A round. “The cost effectiveness of YouTube is so much cheaper with essentially free distribution.”

Venture capital firms have different reasons for investing in individual media companies launched on YouTube. For example, Terbeek billed Machinima as an “MTV for gamers” and said he invested in AwesomenessTV primarily because of Robbins’s success. But he said the ability to reach a global audience with a critical mass was central to all of the investments in the space.

Read the whole article here