I recently joined a new social media site called Mom Blog Network. I have to say that out of all the ones I have joined in the past, this one is my favorite. It’s “the world’s first Digg just for mom blogs and parenting related news.”
I think the feature I like most is that, as well as submitting posts manually, you can add your blog to their directory, which uses your sites feed, and your posts are automatically added to the database and visible for people to vote on. The more votes a post gets, the more chance it has to make it to the front page and increase blog traffic. It’s a very useful site if you think about it. And it’s main focus is mom’s and parenting, and everything about being a parent. I visit it daily because articles are updated in real time so you always have the newest stuff to read from so many sources. I’ve gotten some other people to join as well, and they enjoy it very much.
The site is part of the ParentsClick Network, which also runs MothersClick, another place for moms to connect with each other and share experiences and advice. The creators of the site have this to say about their newest project:
Our mission is simply to provide a lively and helpful resource to connect active mom bloggers with the readers who enjoy them. By adding your site to Mom Blog Network, you’ll get increased visibility for your blog and that’ll drive more traffic your way.
Mom Blog Network invites all mom bloggers who are interested in promoting their sites through syndication, offering an easy way to reach a wider audience and drive more traffic for members. So check it out today!
September 30th, 2008
We all wonder what people think of our websites and/or blogs. I think it’s a minor fear among every site owner on the ‘net. Well, now you can find out! Just visit the site and check out the Top Websites of the internet and see if you’re among the list. You can then view the comments people made about your site.
Talkreviews.com provides website reviews, giving visitors details on various sites people have created throughout several countries. When you yourself register, you can add your comments as well, giving people more feedback on the sites they want to find out about. So be sure to check out the site and see how your site rates among the many others in your same area of blogging likeness.
September 23rd, 2008
If you’re a work at home mom like me, you may also have struggled with finding reliable web hosting. Well, over the years (and many headaches later), I’ve come up with a checklist of essentials that your web host must have before you even consider working with them.
1. Excellent Reliability.
There is nothing more frustrating than finding out your website is down, and has been for hours. Although no time is a good time to have your site down, the timing can be just terrible. That sinking feeling when you’ve purchased advertising and you know the ad is about to be sent out and
you go to your website for last minute touches and … it’s down.
That is not cool. That is not acceptable. You must make sure that the web host you select not only has good reliability, but superior reliability. This is your business on the line, not some hobby site. Treat it as such and get hosting that works for you when you need it. But, you can’t just trust a website that says they are reliable. Make sure they can prove it.
2. Superior Customer Support.
When you do need help, make sure that your hosting will provide it. One thing I recommend is to contact support to ask a simple question about the hosting, before buying. That will give you an idea of what the customer service is like before you make a commitment. Yes, customer service has a difficult job – making sure they do not confuse less-experienced customers, yet, at the same time, also making sure not to talk down to the geek types. However, you should never feel like you are a “bother” or that your question is not as important as anyone else’s.. or worse, dumb. You should find a web host with superior customer support.
3. The Stats You Need.
Several of the most popular hosts do not offer the web stats that every online business needs. You may not think that you need stats, but, how else are you going to know what is working – and what is not? You need stats that tell you where your visitors are coming from, how long they are staying, and which pages they are coming in and going from. Does your web host offer that? If they have a CPanel as their control panel, they do. Find a web host that uses a standard CPanel.
4. Affordable.
Why spend more if you don’t have to? When looking for a web host, price is always a factor. So, shop around and make sure that the web host you decide upon offers a great price.
5. Room to Grow.
The web host you choose should offer unlimited hosting. This means, that, if you add more websites to your package down the road, the price does not increase drastically for each one. Many online businesses start with one site and grow over time. Can your host grow with you?
6. Bandwidth and Disk Space.
Also, make sure that the host you choose is in the ballpark for bandwidth and disk space. Most programs offer approximately the same amount, but, especially if you plan to add a lot of audio or video, be sure to look into this, as well.
7. A History of Happy Customers.
New hosting companies are popping up daily. Some are being run by a couple of teenagers in their garage. Obviously, that’s not who I want to entrust my business to. Do you? I want to know that the company I’m choosing has been around a few years, and has a history of happy customers to show for it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and you shouldn’t either.
Those are the key features that any web host should offer before you consider doing business with them. Choosing a web host can be more important than any other decision you make in your online business – if you choose wrong. So, take the time and find a web host that will work with you, and help you to succeed.
Amy Soesbee is owner of E-Starr Hosting - www.E-Starr.com where you’ll find the host that offers everything a work at home mom needs – reliability, unlimited hosting, and customer service that never makes you feel intimidated — all at a price you can afford.
Tags: blogs, business, hosting, web hosting
June 19th, 2008
