I still remember the morning I made my first sale. It wasn’t very many days after my first banners went up that my first sale came in, this was 1996 so tossing a banner up did a little more. But even 12+ years later one thing hasn’t changed, if anything it has gotten far worse.
I [...]
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Doc on January 21st, 2009
Hiding Sponsor Links is an old school trick that was once achieved through javascript onMouseOvers. These days, PHP is a bit more practical and works across all Browsers.
When you mask your affiliate links, you will often see an increase in click-through rates. This can happen for two reasons, one the Visitor is more likely to click something they don’t think is an affiliate link. And two, some Visitors copy and paste the URL’s from Sponsor promotions, and then they rip out the Affiliate ID in the process.
Below is a basic redirect script for Sponsor Links that is also Search Engine Friendly. The script uses the switch statement, which contains variables in it called a case. This works exactly like an if statement. Meaning, if something matches, it does something. If not, it moves down the list until it can find what it should do. Using switch statement instead of an if statement reduces the amount of code used.
/* cut below this line */
<? // Hide Sponsor Links and Redirect to Sponsor
$idx =
$_GET[‘idx’];
switch ($idx) {
case "1":
// ?id=1
// sponsor url
default:
// default i
$url =
"http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/?id=Test_URL_One";
header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
header("Location: $url");
break;
case "2": // ?id=2
// sponsor url
$url = "http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/?id=Test_URL_Two";
header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
header("Location: $url");
break;
case "3": // ?id=3
// sponsor url
$url = "http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/?id=Test_URL_Three";
header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
header("Location: $url");
break;
}
?>
/* cut above this line */
Using the Redirect PHP Example:
- The first line, $idx = $_GET['idx']; The $idx is the name of the variable being passed into this script. Like: ?idx=1
- The first case is named 1 or case “1″: You don’t have to use numbers, it could be words too. Like: ?idx=sponsorname
- Under the first case, and only under one case, is default: This is the default record to pull up if no ?idx match is found.
- Then comes $url, which is the Sponsor URL that you are promoting.
Test it out! I uploaded the redirect script above to my theme images folder for testing. This is the first link, second link, third and default with no idx passed in. Each click should redirect you back to this article, while adding a little note to the end of each url.
Doc on January 14th, 2009
Anytime a file or directory is deleted from a Website a 301 Redirect should be setup within an .htaccess file. This is the proper way to seamless redirect all visitors and Search Bots to the new location.
If you fail to setup a 301 Redirect the document or directory will not be found, creating a 404 Error. When the Search Engines encounter the 404 Error long enough, they will remove the resulting page and any possible traffic you gained from the listing.
A few key factors to note:
- Always double check your changes each time you upload the htaccess file. A miss-configured .htaccess file can totally break a Website. Not to worry, if you do break your Website simply delete the .htaccess file or upload a blank copy.
- If you can’t create a .htaccess file on your PC or FTP Client, try naming it htaccess.txt. Then once you upload the file, rename it to .htaccess.
- When you upload the .htaccess file make sure you upload it in ASCII Mode. Uploading the file in Binary Mode will probably cause errors, breaking your Website
- Some FTP Clients HIDE the .htaccess files. If this happens try the free FTP Program FileZilla.
- Sometimes when you upload a .htaccess file you can’t see it even with FileZilla. This could happen if the Hosting Company has it hidden. You should be able to upload over the file, but you can’t see, select, or delete the file from the Server. Some hosts will make it visible if you ask.
- Before you start working on .htaccess files it’s always best to test them in a sub-directory. If something doesn’t appear to work or works differently, ask your Hosting Company Support for help.
Copy between the /* start and end */ of the comment marks.
Move a single file or an entire directory.
/* start */
Redirect 301 /old-page.html http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/new-location.html
Redirect 301 /directory/ http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/new-directory/
/* end */
Redirect Wordpress Feed URL to Feed Burner.
/* start */
Redirect 301/feed http://feeds.feedburner.com/AdultWebmasterSkills
/* end */
Move an entire Website to a new Domain.
/* start */
Redirect 301 / http://www.some-other-domain.com/ http://www.some-other-domain.com/</a>
/* end */
Redirect one file extension to another, carrying through the file name.
/* start */
RedirectMatch (.*)\.gif$ http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com$1.jpg/ http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com$1.jpg
RedirectMatch (.*)\.html$ http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com$1.php
/* end */
Redirect random added on file file variables/garage to the proper page.
/* start */
RedirectMatch 301 /info.html(.*)http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/info.html
/* end */
Redirect affiliate links/variables to new page passing the values through.
/* start */
RedirectMatch 301 /old-page.php(.*)http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/new-location.php$1
/* end */
Redirect www to the non-www version of a Website.
/* start */
Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.adultwebmasterskills\.com/$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://adultwebmasterskills g.com/$1 [R=permanent,L]
/* end */
Sample 2: Redirect www to the non-www version of a Website.
/* start */
Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} .
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^ adultwebmasterskills \.com
RewriteRule (.*) http:// adultwebmasterskills.com/$1 [R=301,L]
/* end */
Redirect non-www to the www version of a Website.
/* start */
Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^adultwebmasterskills\.com/$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.adultwebmasterskills g.com/$1 [R=permanent,L]
/* end */
Sample 2: Redirect non-www to the www version of a Website.
/* start */
Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^yoursite.com [NC]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.adultwebmasterskills.com/$1 [L,R=301]
/* end */
Dealing with the .htaccess file and all its various rules can be a real pain. The best advice I can give is to make sure you fully test your changes as you make them. And finally, if something in the .htaccess file appears it should be working, but doesn’t then try finding another example online to test, after a few attempts you should find an example that works for you.
If you would like to test your 301 Redirects try this free online HTTP Status Checker.
Doc on January 9th, 2009
Learning how to install and setup Wordpress can be a real nightmare for any newer web-developer can quickly burn several days, if not weeks of time. This probably pushes some new web-developers to seek out free blogging services due to lack of understanding how to install a php driven system that uses mysql, plugins, themes for templates, and contains lots of other goodies you may have never heard of.
Starting things off is the information from Wordpress directly. Wordpress provides a Codex Knowledge Base that covers everything Wordpress. It’s well written and most features are easy enough to follow. If you plan on working with Wordpress at all, you will want to bookmark the Codex.
- Codex Main Page: Index listing allowing you to jump off to topics. I also recommend the search feature in the top right corner.
- A great place to start is the Getting Started with Wordpress section which highlights some of the main topics for Wordpress installs, setup, and uses.
- From the Codex: How to Install Wordpress including the famous 5-Minute installation, common problems and other detailed installation instructions.
Wordpress Codex is a great resource, but sometimes it can get a little confusing. This is where other Bloggers and Web Develeopers have stepped in to help. Below is several different view points on installing and setting up Wordpress from some of the top Bloggers on the Internet.
- Solostream offers a text version and flash video version on how to install Wordpress. The text outline is simple but the video goes into plenty of details that even the newest web-developer can follow.
- Kentuckyclassroom explains through a YouTube Video on how to install Wordpress through C-Panel. You can also check out other Wordpress Video Tutorials Kentuckyclassroom’s Homepage.
- Check out the article from Free WP Training on How to Install a Plugins on a Wordpress 2.7 for a great detailed guide on finding, downloading, and setting up Wordpress 2.7 Plugins.
- Learn how to install and setup Wordpress on your Windows PC for local testing.
- Wordpress 2.7 Upgrade Tips: Make sure you have the basics covered, your theme is 2.7 compatible, and your plugins will properly convert over.
If you are currently new to Wordpress and just downloaded Wordpress 2.7, you need to be sure that you only use Themes and Plugins that are Wordpress 2.7 compatible. Wordpress has gone through several major changes over the years and some plugins, themes and versions are not compatiable with todays newest features.
Doc on January 7th, 2009
If you own a Website that contains nudity you should have a Warning Page. Law or no law, having a clean warning for mistaken visitors and a clean place for some bookmarkers, is the decent thing to do.
The Warning Page should be a basic Landing Page, which pushes the visitor to the next or real page of the Website. The basic structure of a Warning Page has been listed below.
- A graphic or text header with the site logo in it, and no-nudity.
- A small amount of text about the site and the warning page.
- The actual Warning Message, example below.
- The exit link or exit option.
- The enter link with a bit more search engine love added to it.
- Other text relevant to the enter link and why they should enter.
- Random links, trade links, copyright, footer, ect.
The Warning Message: (Full Example Warning Page can be seen below)
The information found within this Website contains links, images, graphics, writings, photos and videos that may contain sexually explicit material. By entering this Website you understand and agree with the below Terms and Conditions.
- I am at least 18 years of age or older.
- You are voluntarily choosing to access explicit material for your own personal use within the privacy of your own home.
- Viewing, reading and downloading of sexually explicit material does not violate the standards set by my community, town, city, state or country.
- I believe that a sexual act between consenting adults is neither obscene nor offensive.
- All actors and actresses that appear within this website are over the age of 18 and have consented to be photographed and/or filmed.
- This agreement (entry-page) constitutes a legal agreement between this website and yourself.
By entering this website you have read and fully understand the above conditions and statements. By continuing below you affirm and swear to this agreement. If you do not agree then please close this page.
The Exit Link:
What a better time to toss up your own mainstream search engine, game page, review page, cooking page, bike page, and start a small but steady traffic stream to your own mainstream site. Toss the link below the Enter button and make it a good bit smaller than the Enter link.
The Enter Link:
Most Adult Websites use Sample #1 below or a style like it, on Warning pages. Sample #2 however allows for a bit more Search Engine love. Put in your Website name and maybe include a simple keyword. If you must have a Warning Page you might as well use it to your advantage.
Sample #1: I Agree: Enter Here
Sample #2: I Agree Enter: The Paysite Name or Keyword & Paysite Name.
What else you can add to a Warning Page:
Don’t forget to add links to your support areas, trade pages, affiliate program, terms/privacy statements, 2257 link, members area and whatever else you like. One common feature you see is a download links for protecting minors from setting explicit material.
If you have minors in your household, please download:
Cyber Patrol | NetNanny | CyberSitter | SurfWatch
Keep the Warning Page as simple as possible and easy for the surfer to follow. The focus should be to push the surfer to the Next Page. Adding really good non-nude thumbs that jump to the Next Page will greatly increase your click-through rate. And finally, make sure the Enter link is large and above the top half of the page!
It may be the simplest of all pages to create but it’s the first page Search Engines list and an area most of us should probably pay more attention to.
Doc on January 1st, 2009
Currently the way the Internet is setup without a Domain Name System, Internet Websites and Email would fail to work.
Every Website and Computer on the Internet has an IP (Internet Protocol) Address. The IP Address is part of the numerical method as to which DNS Servers talk to each other, like making a phone call. When the browser calls a domain, such as adultwebmasterskills.com the domain is resolved to the proper location in the world, by DNS.
Your Internet ISP and other Internet Backbones use a cached copy of the Root DNS records allowing them to instantly look up what the real home (hosting company) of the domain is when your Computer asks for the information.
Root DNS Servers or the Central Registry is controlled by an organization called ICANN. All other DNS Servers around the world are mirrored from this registry. ICANN is a large directory service that stores name records and then shares it through a distributed cached database to a massive amount of other servers around the world. It’s basically the largest database, ever!
The Hosting Company not only hosts the domain it probably keeps its own Nameserver records. The Nameserver is like a giant phonebook that stores the IP Address and domain name records within it. This information is then shared back with the registry controlled by ICANN, updating the registry.
This basically completes the loop, other than the 8-48+ hours it takes for a domain to propagate through the registry, the registrar, your hosting company and all the ISP providers around the world!
- Before you register a domain ask your Hosting Company for the Nameserver information you need for registering a domain.
- Register the domain and enter the Nameserver information in when the Registrar asks.
- Contact your Hosting Company and get them to add the domain name.
- At this point your host will update its Nameserver records and shortly afterwards the central registry will be updated.
- Then between 8 and 48 hours later, the rest of the mirrored DNS Servers around the world will update making the domain live.
Overall DNS is much more complex than this but this is about as basic of a run down as I could give. If you would like more information check out the articles below for a good bit more detail on Domain Name Systems.
Hope this quick little guide helps you understand a bit more about how DNS works and why it’s probably one of the most important aspects of making the Internet function.
Tags:
dns,
domain name system,
host,
hosting,
hosting company,
icann,
ip,
ip address,
nameserver,
registrar,
registry
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Doc on April 14th, 2008
Hi and welcome to Adult Webmaster Skills. Overtime things will build up to include basic tips and newbie tutorials for the beginning Web Developer. Learn the basics of HTML, CSS, Search Engines, Blogging, Webmaster Tools, PHP Examples, Snips and Links, Free Templates of all types, Web Design and Photoshop Tutorials, Hosting Information, Site Building techniques, Link Building, Software Info, Social Media Marketing and much much more.
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