More than Grandmom on Sunday, Page Builders want visitors. Here is all I know about getting your counter to move.
Register your page with Search Engines: Let's start with Yahoo.
Click on the category you want to be in (example: "Computers and Internet").
From there, click on a sub-category (example: "Multimedia").
When you find a category you fit in, click on "Suggest a Site" found at the very bottom of that page.
From there, read through the explanations (make sure you aren't already listed, make sure you selected the right category, read the FAQs)
then go down and click on "Proceed to Step One" button.
Fill out your page title, URL, and description. Come prepared. To get the correct URL for your Page Builder site, go to your page. Press the goto button (wired keyboard users would press the F7 key). Then press the "show current" button. Look at your URL (address). You will notice either a -1 or possibly a -2 after community. Use this address. The description should be a brief, readable phrase or sentence- no longer than 25 words.
Then click on "Proceed to Step Two."
Here you get to suggest an additional category where your site may belong and also a chance to vote for a new category.
Click on "Proceed to Step Three."
On this page you fill out your name and e-mail address.
You can fill out the Geographical location of the site if it is pertinent. For example: If your site is titled "Great clubs in Northeast Philadelphia" you will want to fill this out, but not if your site is titled "Halloween Graphics for the WebTV Page Builder."
Click on "Proceed to Step Four."
Now they ask for your sites expiration date, if it has one. That's for sites advertising a specific date or any site you intend to remove after a certain date.
Then it gives you a chance to write any Final comments.
Click on "Submit."
Now you will see a "Thanks!" message and some more information explaining that Yahoo receives thousands of suggested sites every day and the process is not an immediate one. They also have a link to a Suggested Sites Help Page.
From Yahoo, you can go to the other major Search Engines:
Join a Web Ring:
You can start your own web ring or join one already in progress. Web rings can have as few as 3 members or many thousands of members. The idea behind web rings is to feed each other. If you visit my Mickey Mouse page, you will possibly click on my Mickey Mouse web ring banner looking for more Mickey Mouse web sites. This sends visitors to fellow Mickey Mouse webmasters and they send their visitors to me.
To join a web ring in progress, you apply to be a member, agree to their rules (for example, a common rule is to have no adult content) and agree to place a web ring banner on your site. A banner advertises the web ring and has navigational buttons. You will be given HTML code to paste the banner on your site.
While editing your page,
click on "Add an item".
Then select "text."
Paste the HTML code in the large rectangular box.
Press the "done" button
Press the "publish" button on the left sidebar.
The publish button is actually a "save" button that saves any changes you have made to your page.
Advertise in your signature line:
Your e-mail signature line is a great way to get visitors to your site. "Please visit my homepage" has been done. Try to get their attention with "Nude photos of Uncle Bob." Wait, maybe not that sensational- but do try something original.
The Page Builder will place a link to your homepage in your e-mail signature line for you. This option is given to you when you first publish your page. If you want to do this after you have published,
Go to your Page Builder index and select your page.
Click on "Change page."
Press "Publish" on the left sidebar.
You will see the option: "Would you like to: add ... its address to your mail signature?" Upon selecting this option you will get the confirmation alert "The address has been added to your mail signature."
To place your Page Builder link in your signature line yourself, while in your mailbox,
Click on "Settings."
Click on "Signature."
Place your link in the rectangular box
and press "done."
This is a great way to advertise your homepage in every news group post or e-mail you send.
Sign Guest Books.
Every time you sign a guest book you have an opportunity to advertise your web site. Often the person you visited will take a moment to reciprocate and sign your guest book. Your web site address is seen by future guests that sign the same book. Guest books are web sites and indexed on search engines. This will be counted towards your popularity rating (robots count the number of web sites your link is on and this information is used to rate your popularity and possibly move you up the search engine ladder).
Make a banner and give permission to link.
Never place obstacles in the linking path.
On your web site give permission for others to link to your site.
Give them written instructions on how to link and write out your homepage address.
Consider creating a pleasant banner for those who would like to link to you in a large way.
Apply for awards.
There are thousands of sites that give out awards. You have to take a moment to apply for them and the award givers have to take a moment to visit your site to judge you. You can turn the tables and give out an award. Awards have a link back to the award-givers. Whoever receives and then displays your award is essentially displaying a link to your homepage for you.
Submit your site to:
Having your site featured in the Club WebTV monthly newsletter Homespun section is a sure way to get hits on your counter.
Only the best web sites are featured in Net4TV's Better Homes and Web sites. Once featured, be sure to burst with pride and share the good news in all your usual hangouts (mailing lists, chat rooms, related news groups, and such). Putting a link to your featured web site on your actual web site is like displaying an award and giving it credibility.
Use a referral service:
It's happened to you. You've visited a great web site and wanted Aunt Millie to see it to. You got caught up in enjoying it and now every time you talk to Aunt Millie she asks where is that link you mentioned you wanted to send to her. Have no fear, Recommend It! is here! Recommend it! is a great service to put on your web page. A visitor clicks on the Recommend it! button and quickly fills in friends e-mail addresses. Recommend it! e-mails the link to Aunt Millie (et al)
along with an explanation that you thought she would enjoy it and gives out a detailed explanation of the site (previously written out by the web master). You can include a personal note, too. This is a great way to get visitors to advertise your site for you.
Notify the press!
No need to hire a publicist. Write up a short paragraph announcing your web site and e-mail all the local newspapers. Give it a catchy title "Local woman takes plea to internet," or "Grandma goes High Tech,"
or "Gourmet Meals in a downloadable Minute." Be brief, write it in 3rd person and send it to the correct department. You may want to call your local newspaper and ask to whose attention you can e-mail your announcement. Wait a week and call back if you have not received a response. Polite persistence always pays off.
Good luck and many hits to your counter!
with love, from Beth Candy
