The Top 3 Dating Sites
Nobody likes to be single. Every human being craves a certain amount of attention and affection and we all go through life believing that there is somebody “special” out there for us. Some of us find that special person rather easily, whilst many of us do not. For those who lead a very full life through work and other commitments, getting the time to venture out and actually meet people in person can be a challenging proposition. For those of us who are actively searching, we have come to your rescue and have analyzed the top dating sites on the web. For all you lonely young entrepreneurs out there, here are our top three picks:
1. Plenty Of Fish
Far from the most glamorous of websites, and way behind when it comes to mainstream marketing spend, Plenty Of Fish is nonetheless our top pick. The site attracts an enormous number of monthly visitors, yet is still ably managed by its founder, Markus Friend, to this day. The service is offered free to all visitors, who receive a feature-rich platform. There are numerous forums, comprehensive questionnaires and the site is much less formal than some of the other top competitors. Markus seems to have hit on the right mix of presentation and promotion. For example, a popular feature is the “who loves me” feature, where you can check out who has checked you out.
2. OK Cupid
This site is a great mix of social networking, online dating and compatibility testing. Once again, the site is not as pretty as some, but is presented as a free service. Part of the attraction of this site is that it allows you to create your own compatibility matching questions, which we believe to be a unique feature. This makes you feel as if you really are narrowing your choices down to somebody who truly matches you. You may make contact, however, with anyone on the site, not just your “matches”.
3. E Harmony
E Harmony is probably the most avidly promoted, with regular advertising slots on network and cable TV. As opposed to the above mentioned sites, E Harmony’s compatibility matching methods are somewhat rigid, although the results are generally good. They have 29 different, predetermined selection categories, but their compatibility process does take time. Some criticize this aspect of their mix, and as the site is fee-based, your investment can take a little time to pay off. In addition, they only allow you to get in contact with those whom you have “matched” through their process.
So what do you think about our Top 3 Dating Websites? Have you had any experience with these sites, or others? We want to hear your thoughts about our choices. Who would be on your Top 3 Dating Website lists and why?
Adam Toren
Double Your Sales: Boost Your Conversion Rate with Google Website Optimizer
Have you recently seen a decline in your online sales orders and don’t know why? If you are looking for a website optimizing tool that improves lagging conversion rates, it’s time to take that next step with Google Website Optimizer.
Conversion rate is the percentage of visitors to sites who take a “desired action.” Your “desired action” really depends on your online marketing goals: i.e. are you trying to sell products, boost membership, or increase newsletter registrations?
Google Website Optimizer works in the following ways:
Creates dynamic, high-converting pages
• Tests and optimizes both design and content for websites and landing pages
• Uses Google Analytics for its tracking
Utilizes both split testing and multivariate testing
• A/B split testing – If you can’t decide which headline to use on the home page, Google Website Optimizer can run an A/B split test. For example, one group of visitors view “Headline A” and the other group views “Headline B.” You then tally the numbers of orders you received with “Headline A” versus “Headline B.”
• Multivariate testing – You don’t have to wait to run one test at a time. While you test your headlines, simultaneously test out web page elements such as content, images and sales pricing. Site visitors are shown different combinations of pages. Google Website Optimizer calculates your average of what combination of elements that works the best when viewed.
Why should you use split and multivariate testing?
The answer comes down to test marketing. You wouldn’t throw a product on the market if you hadn’t tested it out first. How will you know if customers like or dislike your product? This same theory applies to Google Website Optimizer. By testing out what visitors like or dislike, you will be able to improve upon your site and maximize conversion rate.
How can Google Website Optimizer increase your bottom line?
If you can figure out what works and doesn’t work on your site, then you are one step ahead of your online competitor. Increased conversion rates equal higher sales, new members and increased newsletter sign-ups.
Remember that a beautiful-looking website doesn’t necessarily mean you will draw traffic or instantly sell products and services. There are more factors involved than just design and that’s where Google Website Optimizer comes in handy.
Easy Fix-It Tricks
If you don’t get it right the first time with testing, these easy fix-it tricks will point you in the right direction. You may have to try multiple split and multivariate test runs. Remember that even small, subtle improvements to your site will hit the mark with testing. Your ultimate goal: fix the problems and increase your conversion rates!
• Don’t make test runs complicated - Limit changes 2-3 per page. You don’t want to run hundreds of test variations which can be confusing and counter-productive.
• Headlines - Change the color of main headlines.
• Fonts - Increase or decrease size. Change font style.
• Content and Images – Add more bullet points. Re-arrange sub-headers and paragraphs. Test content with or without images.
This is a Guest Post by Zeke Camusio who is a serial entrepreneur, Internet Marketing expert and founder of The Outsourcing Company, an Internet Marketing agency with offices in Aspen, CO and New York. Let’s Do It!, his blog, is read by thousands of people all over the world.
Tips for setting up your Accounting System
July 1, 2009 by Matthew
One of the most daunting tasks you can face when setting up a new business involves the process of establishing an accounting system. The dictionary defines accounting as “a precise list or enumeration of financial transactions”, which is a mouthful and can be translated into “a way to track money coming into and out of your business”.
Accounting does not only tell you whether or not you’re making a profit, but also helps you to track your different sources of income and categories of expenditure and make important decisions based on this information. Within your system you will compose records, including a profit and loss account, a cash flow projection and a balance sheet, which will combine with numerous other reports to give you a good overall picture of your enterprise.
When it comes to setting up an accounting system you must first pick your accounting method. This gives you two choices – either the cash method or the accrual method. The cash method is the more popular and is usually adopted by small business. This method requires you to account for your income when you actually receive it, and your expenditure when you actually pay out. If you normally take immediate payment for a product or service through a check, credit card or cash, this is the method you should likely adopt. The accrual method requires you to account for a sale when it is consummated, not necessarily when you receive the money for it. Likewise, expenses are accounted for when you actually receive the product or service. Companies that use an invoicing system use the accrual method.
Most small businesses choose the cash method as it is much easier to maintain. For example, you do not have to establish records for “accounts receivable” or “accounts payable”, but if your company exceeds $5 million in annual sales you will likely be forced to use the accrual method by the taxation authorities.
Once you have settled upon your accounting method, decide how you are going to record all your transactions. While some people choose to do this by hand, as was common at one time in our history, the majority of people choose to use software. Many different software programs exist, the most prominent being QuickBooks.
Once you have determined your method and your recording platform, set up your chart of accounts. This is simply a listing of the various categories and subcategories. Most accounting platforms use the “double entry” standard, which means that when you make one record of a transaction, you must make a corresponding and opposite record to balance out. This is a highly accurate way of compiling financial records.
It is very important to use your new accounting system religiously. It is strongly recommended that you maintain the system every week, if not on a daily basis. Obviously, the more complex your operation, the more attention you should pay to accurate record-keeping. Always make sure that you record every transaction, be it a check, a charge, petty cash, or a bill.
As the old saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out”. Be careful when entering transactions and do remember to reconcile your accounts. Reconciliation is vitally important, and again should be done on a regular basis, or you will spend many nervous hours looking for your error. At the very least, you should reconcile your accounting system against your bank statements. Always reconcile to the penny, and you will have very accurate records and will be ready to provide the greedy taxman with his share at year-end.
Have you got any other tips on managing your accounts?
Matthew Toren
The Main Characteristics Of A Profitable Website
June 29, 2009 by Adam
When it comes to achieving success it seems that most people struggle and fail. This seems to be especially true when it comes to Internet business, but it does not not have to be this way. Successful Internet entrepreneurs understand what it takes to establish a profitable website and to achieve a considerable income from their online endeavors.
Whilst many people might say that in order to build a profitable website you must focus on design, must make your site search-engine friendly and must ensure that it is full of great content, there are other traits that you should also focus on when you are starting out.
Firstly, and this is where a large number of prospects fail, you must take action! Many, many people fall prey to “analysis paralysis” – quite simply, they just get stuck. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there and an unending line of “experts” who are ready to give you the latest and the best advice. Don’t be tempted to think that you must have all your “ducks in a row” before you get started. It is important to take action and establish your site. Publish, and you will have taken the first step towards greatness!
Secondly, be wary of those experts. You will hear a ton of conflicting information and you might be tempted to venture off into a variety of different niches. Remain focused at all times. Do one thing and do it well. If you try and diversify too much you will compromise your time and your efforts. There are a variety of ways to promote your website, but don’t think for a moment that you have to be a master of all these techniques. Just focus on one strategy and do it really well.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but do try and learn from those who have gone before you. Research the work and websites of others who have clearly been successful in your niche and learn from their mistakes. Take advantage of those who have “blazed a trail” before you.
In short, begin your journey today, learn from those who have become successful in your niche and don’t be sidetracked by others who promise riches through an alternative approach. Once you have begun your journey, understand that you must be flexible and willing to innovate. The Internet continues to evolve and if you make sure that you are ahead of the learning curve you will remain ahead of the competition. Be focused and you will establish a profitable website.
How did you make your website profitable?
Adam Toren
The Top 3 Education/Book Sites
As the popularity of social media expands in the online community, it is little wonder that a variety of second-generation social bookmarking sites have materialized, dealing with a wide variety of categories. In the category of education and books, there are dozens of social bookmarking sites and we have determined the top three within this hierarchy. These sites serve as the perfect gathering place for millions of avid readers, creating a potentially attractive advertising arena for publishers; however, commercialization appears to be in its infancy.
When we were creating this list, we took into account a lot of information, including current levels of membership, visitor traffic, user-friendly accessibility, member features and innovation. So, the Blogtrepreneur Top 3 favorites - drumroll please…
1. LibraryThing
According to our research, LibraryThing has the highest number of unique monthly users and site visitors, and has some 650,000 registered members (according to Zeitgeist overview, January, 2009). This places LibraryThing well ahead of its rivals. We particularly like its interface and usability, though. LT allows you to keep a convenient catalog of book collections and browse others. They give book recommendations and hook you up with other book lovers. For true accessibility they allow you to access your catalog from places like your mobile phone. Further, their format allows you to catalog and categorize your collection simply and very easily.
2. Goodreads
Like LT, Goodreads allows you to catalog your entire collection within your profile. Their database is pretty comprehensive. The application is clean—but a little bare. Goodreads does offer you flexibility, though as you can arrange your books in a variety of ways – author, title, rating, etc. LibraryThing allows you to show which users are borrowing and who’s next in line to borrow each book. This feature is great for those who have large collections, and can allow you to keep track of your loaners; Goodreads should adopt something like this. This site does appear to focus more on ratings than actual formatting and cataloging. In their favor, however, they do have a nifty little widget, which allows you to incorporate your reading habits, according to your Goodreads profile, on a compatible social network or blog.
3. Shelfari
Shelfari’s design is very clean and appealing, They make it very easy to add books to your shelf, you can categorize and tag your books and friends and set up different groups. We think that the orientation of this site is maybe a little too laid-back for those who are seriously looking for a tool to organize their personal collection. Shelfari is arguably the more commercialized out of our top three, as it has enjoyed a considerable infusion from Amazon. They do have just a few too many “cutesy” effects and pop-ups for our liking, but this site is still one of the leaders in the growing field of more than 30 similar sites.
So do you agree? What would your top 3 education and book sites be? We want to hear your thoughts.
Matthew Toren
