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Written by Paul Morris
March 16, 2006
Caught in a loop!
Dear Adam and Contributors
As a long time supporter of LED, I often feel that something is missing from my day if I don't get to read the Digest. However over the last year the Digest seems to have become self obsessed with Google and Rankings, I feel the Digest is now boring. While I agree the big 'G' and rankings are important it is not everything to do with running a business on the net. I wonder now if the Digest is caught in a downward spiralling loop, driven by a small few who snipe at each other or continuously clap each other on the back.
Having said that I would hate to see the Digest go down the tubes, which I imagine is going to happen in time if it continues as it is. I do appreciate and thank you for the great advice I have received from you over the years, I also thank Adam for all the time and work it must take to keep it running.
Regards
Paul Morris
Written by Derek Andrews
March 17, 2006
Search engine ranking is an easy hole to fall into. I have seen this happen on several lists, and in the past I have been as guilty as anyone of fueling the fire. I believe that this situation comes about because the desired outcome (your ranking) is so easy to quantify. But what would we be talking about if it was so easy and cheap to measure other factors like:
- how well does our product rank in people's desire to buy it?
- how well does the page convert customers compared to those of our competitors?
or even:
- how does my search engine listing rank in terms of
click-throughs?
Admittedly many of these things can be tested, but for many small businesses it is too expensive or time consuming, or we don't have sufficient visitors for the results to be statistically valid.
Derek Andrews, woodturner
seafoamwoodturning.com
Written by Peter D'Aprix
March 17, 2006
Perhaps Mr. Morris might consider contributing some lively topics of discussion that he feels have been ignored recently and help enlighten us all by bringing to the table important things to consider in this business that we have all been blind to
recently.
This LED is not a one way street, after all, without participation, then it goes down the tubes.
What say you, Paul? Help us keep this great e-publication a stimulating and pertinent tool.
Peter D'Aprix - Visual Communications
peterdaprix.com
Written by Tom Anson
March 17, 2006
While I'd hate to say it out loud, I have some agreement with Paul Morris about the current state of LED Digest. I still find it a valuable resource, but it is not the same as when I first started reading it almost six years ago.
When I was getting started online, LED was the resource for me. It would not be over-stated to say that I owe almost everything to LED, either directly or indirectly. It not only provided me with the answers to any of my many questions, it gave me the background to know what the questions were. Without the active discussion of so many different aspects of being online, I wouldn't have had a clue what 90% of this stuff is about. And, if I had taken the time to read everything thoroughly in the beginning, it could have saved me thousands of dollars that I foolishly spent on things that did not work.
Over the last few years (since a little before the demise of I-Sales, et al), the breadth and depth of discussion has suffered. It seems that many of our contributors have moved on to other forums (although we still hear from some of them now and then). I miss the good old days, and wish I had an idea of how we could re-capture some of the magic of those times.
Tom Anson
Anson Aromatic Essentials
Written by Carol Goodwater
March 20, 2006
"When I was getting started online, LED was the resource for me. It would not be over-stated to say that I owe almost everything
to LED, either directly or indirectly... I miss the good old
days..." - Tom Anson
Mr. Anson,
Your comment left me feeling a little like there was a party and I wasn't invited. I've been reading LED regularly only for a year but I have found it to be exactly as you described it being many years ago. Perhaps your perspective has changed?
Others here at Web To Market Corp. have also read LED for many years, and have expressed your same sentiments. However, those of us who don't yet always know what questions to ask are reaping the benefits you enjoyed when you began. LED is a priceless resource that will continue to aid Internet developers and users for years to come.
Internet technology changes daily, growing outward into unexplored territory. Maybe all of you -- who know what questions need answers -- should ask and then others will join in, to the benefit of us all.
Warmest Regards,
Carol A. Goodwater
Web To Market Corp.
webtomarket.com
Written by Viggie Bala
March 20, 2006
I would like to thank Peter D'Aprix for suggesting the remedy. Of late, I've started skimming & skipping long replies in LED, particularly on link strategy. Initially the long 'intense' replies were helpful to some extent, but it's getting repetitive now.
Right time to get into action rather than sulking. And actually there is a lot to discuss.
Thanks & Regards,
Viggie Bala
Helping Websites to Work
viggie.com
Written by Steve Pronger
March 20, 2006
I don't agree Paul. I think that, thanks to Adam, the Digest has always provided balanced views on a variety of issues. Sure, SEO is probably never far away but that's only because readers often ask SEO related questions. You need to remember that LED isn't a thing - it doesn't have a mind of its own. Adam can only publish what the readership sends him.
So, if SEO doesn't interest you, make a post on an issue that does interest you. Instead of saying "I don't want to read about SEO from the usual protagonists", say " I have a question about online payment systems", or whatever. Or post some info on something that you have experience or expertise in. Start a new thread and let's bash it around.
You'll only read posts from the "small few" if no one else has anything to say.
Steve Pronger
stevepronger.com
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