Today, you might had noticed the Free Traffic Bar banner I put on the site. I started to play with it to see how I could use it to get free traffic to MyStarterBlog. Since I use my browser all day long, why not drive free traffic at the same time?

What is it?

The idea is simple: You install a plugin(Firefox, IE) that will show me a small toolbar ad in my browser. When I browse in Firefox, I earn credits that will show my own ads to others too. Now, I do expect the CTR(click trough  rates) to be low but would expect the conversion to buying MSB a little higher.

At this time, they have 45236 members. I'm guessing that a lot are Internet marketers but you can select the type of ads your want to be shown. This way, the ads are more targeted.  Plus, social bloggers could use that to their advantage by showing non money ads to be different.

Free vs Paid

The free version offer limited options unlike the paid version where you get a lot in return like free monthly credit, more ads, discount on ads....

I recommend that people try the free version first to see if they like it or not. After a few months you should reevaluate how much traffic you gained.

The one time offer

But if you have the money to spare, you should consider the first one time offer. It's not cheap since it's $297 but does offer 1 million credits, 25000/credits each month after that and more. I did not think about it so it's too late for me. But, I can still upgrade later but with 500 000 credits and lose some of the exclusive.

Here is how it can pay out for you if you buy the 1 Million credits.

You sell a $7 ebook.  If .001% of the 45000 buys your ebook, the one time offer would pay for itself.

45 x $7 = $315

I can be wrong but the 1 million credits would show your ad more often than not in front of users.

Btw, they do offer other lower monthly plans: $3.99, $9.99, $19.99.

Conclusion

In my case, my ad for MyStarterBlog is being shown to "Web Site Management::Content Management Systems/Blogs" only. If I can make a few sales just for browiing, I don't have any problem with that.

Watch the video and download the Free Traffic Bar.

P.S. I made this post Part 1 because I expect to make an updated post later on.

AuctionSiteWriter
See free movies legally(and make money too)

ShareThis

I wanted to use "review" but I believed opinion will be better when comparing BANS vs phpBay(Wp plugin) vs phpBay API vs free option. If you don't know, all 4 will let you list eBay items on your site. Like BANS, you pay only once to get phpBay.

I will take each one and give my opinion on it.

BANS

Positive: Simple to use, more secure than phpBay(WP plugin), themes, less cpu resource hog than WP+phpBay(WP plugin)

Negative: Require you to use a MySQL database and will use more space than phpBay API and WP+phpBay(WP plugin)

Opinion: If you are just starting(no real html/php experience) and don't want a blog, BANS is the one for you. Of course, using AuctionSiteWriter will help in the setup of your BANS faster. If you have a blog, you could add folder to hold the BANS. You would need 2 MySQL databases in that case.

phpBay(WP plugin)

Positive: It's a WordPress plugin so it's simple to add. I did used the free version(too basic) but I got the paid version because it does offer me more options for my blogs. No need for a new MySQL database. You can cloak the links and and even filter out words. That's a nice option and using it. The reader can select the country and see items available to them.

Negative: It's more WordPress fault here thus it's less secure since it's using WordPress. Just read my post about it here. Now, imagine 100s of blogs like that. It also take more resource(space/CPU time) than phpBay API but less than BANS sites.

Opinion: If you already have a blog or a few blogs, why not list items at the end of your post that might interest your readers. Personally, I would not start a big network of WP+phpBay(WP plugin) blogs just to list items on it. I already added phpBay(WP plugin) on my other blog.

phpBay API

Positive: The base code take less space(20KB) vs 6590KB(BANS) vs 4200KB(WP), no MySQL database required. More flexible.

Negative: You need to know some coding before using it. No themes.

Opinion: The potential is there but it does demand more from users. After looking at it, I started to support it in AuctionSiteWriter. I'm sure I will find a way to make it much simpler for users. The fact that you don't need a MySQL database is a big factor to me. It's one less step and some hosting package are limited on the number of MySQL per package but not with Host Gator. I bought a few pre-owned domains and used AuctionSiteWriter to generate a 1 page parking page instead in just 1 minute.

MyStarterBlog + MSB eBay Plugin($7 each)

Positive: The base code take less space(100-150KB) vs 6590KB(BANS) vs 4200KB(WP), no MySQL database required. Not a CPU hog on the server, more flexible, secure(no backend), use themes, RSS feed, sitemap.xml, no footprint.

Negative: You need Windows.

Opinion: I'm biased here but it's the least costing solution of the paid ones. Also, since you "Generate" the site on your computer, you have an automatic backup.

Free solutions

Positive: Free

Negative: Limited

Opinion: I should point that eBay has a free snippet available but don't offer the cloaking aspect for example. I also did not use it. Also, phpBay(WP plugin) has a free version. It's was too simple for me but it did give me an ideal.

Conclusion

Some will tell you that you don't need BANS or phpBay at all since free options are available. It's true but it also depend on your overall need too. Setting up a few WP blogs is not the same as creating a network of 100s of "stores".

Each site has a solution that's a better fit for it. It also depend on your own skills. Adding content on a regular basis on a blog, thus updating WP more often, is not the same has a "set and forget" site. Maybe it's me but I don't want to hunt down for plugins, deal with trackbacks or security issues thus BANS or phpBay API is a good solution for the "set and forget" sites.

But since I'm using this blog as my flagship general blog, don't be surprise if I add posts using phpBay(WP plugin) soon. I already modified a few popular post using the free version but will add other kind of post to see how it would perform by attracting new search engine traffic. Of course, I will upgrade that plugin to the paid version. I already have a series in mind and will be original content.

That's the beauty of having my "name" in the domain name. I'm not bound to anything.

Edit: To show Frank C(comments) some examples, I used phpBay(WP plugin) paid version. Noticed that I could sell the item to US, CA, UK ... thus possibly increasing my sales. That's something that I like. I did not change the default colors. The second example adds categories(617), keyword filtering.

[phpbay]Die Hard blu-ray, 6[/phpbay*]

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard (Blu-ray Disc, 2009)    US $.99

Die Hard: The Ultimate Collection (Blu-ray Disc, 200...    US $37.99

Die Hard (Blu-ray Disc, 2007)    US $1.29

Live Free Die Hard Blu-Ray    US $1.99

Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard (Blu-ray, 2009)    US $1.99

Die Hard 4 (Ws) (2007) - Used - Blu-ray    US $2.24

Have garden a blog? Add garden related items instead

This is the same thing but with categories(617), keyword filtering . I just want the Die Hard movie or Collection.

[phpbay]Die Hard blu-ray, 6, 617,"harder vengeance live 3 4"[/phpbay*]

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Indian Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Polish Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions UK Auctions

Best Match Time: ending soonest Time: newly listed Price: lowest first Price: highest first Price + Shipping: lowest first Price + Shipping: highest first

Die Hard: The Ultimate Collection (Blu-ray Disc, 200...    US $37.99

Die Hard (Blu-ray Disc, 2007)    US $1.29

Die Hard (Ws) (2007) - Used - Blu-ray    US $7.61

Die Hard 2 (Ws) (2007) - Used - Blu-ray    US $7.61

Die Hard (Blu-ray Disc, 2007) BRAND NEW, GREAT ACTION MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    US $10.99

Die Hard ~ Blu-ray ~ Widescreen    US $9.99

Have garden a blog? Add garden related items instead

Ebay script

Edit 2009/04/20: I added MyStarterBlog

ShareThis

Like many shareware and freeware authors, I build my site in HTML(simple template) and submitted MIS Info Video(free) to a few big sites like download.com and tucows.com. It's later that I figured that I was not using 2 ways that were available to me and I that did not use properly when I first started. Thus, I wasted time and left money on the table.

Add a blog

When you add a blog to your site, you can create a press releases(post) for the new version that will be published with the help of your blog's RSS feed. I'm using misfan.com to promote all that is M.I.S. related. I use WordPress(free) but I needed Linux hosting.

One way for freeware or file(plugin, themes, ebook) authors to make money is to add Google Adsense and people will click on those ads when it's related to the content. You could also sell ads on your blog too. You should also submit your blog to blog directories to increase traffic. Some may ask for a reciprocal link to them.

Depending on you software or file, you could sell vertical products to your own by being an affiliate. You will earn money from commissions and won't have to do the support for them.

Use download sites

Most people will search for a few words in Google or other search engines and land on a download site page. From there, they can download the file or go directly to your site.

So, the more download sites your file is on, the more potential visitors or customers(shareware) will go to your site. I'm using Robosoft(not free) to make the job easier and faster. I can submit my new version to 500+ sites in my case.

Some may ask for a reciprocal link to them.

Some also give "fake" awards so that you add a reciprocal link to them. I must confess that I felt for that one. Now, I don't bother anymore adding awards because I don't know who is fake or not.

Your file may appear right away or pending for months. If you have a profitable shareware, it could be an idea to pay to go in front of the line or buy publicity to create some buzz.

Take the time to visit the download site. Often, you will receive confirmation emails with the URL of the link of your software. When using Robosoft, I often got 5-6 emails at the same time while it was adding MIS Info Video to other download sites. Don't worry, you won't get 500 emails at a time. It's you last chance to verify if it's ok.

1 Cool File for you

I started 1 Cool File so that I could add and promote both MIS Info Video(free) and my blogs.

Here is what I do:

• Most authors are honest thus I show the file right away. Unfortunately, "bad people" may force me to activate the pending option.
• If the contact email was not delivered, I delete the files and the account. I delete many such files everyday.
• I don't require a reciprocal link to 1 Cool File but you can add one if your want.
• I don't give fake awards for files or blogs. It must be earn first.
• Because blogs are easy to create, I must approve each one. I also have a no "dead blog" policy. If a blog was not updated for a few months, it will be remove, permanent listing or not. The goal is to have fresh content. Bloggers can sell their blog on 1 Cool File while it has value.
• It's free to add blogs(1 year) or files.You can pay a small fee for your blog and it will show more of your RSS feed.

So, if you have a shareware or freeware or file, think about adding a blog to your site and submitting you file/blog to directories. Btw, I recently added a new category for Business Blog. So, if your investing for the long haul, add your blog(permanent) and this will give you a second way to promote it or be found by the search engines.

You might want to install the Alexa toolbar to lower you Alexa score. You may encourage your users to do so.

ShareThis

It was bound to happens this week.

The file is: Spyware Terminator(freeware)

I don't know it but I was contacted by them to do review(unpaid) about their product. Because I was about to release MIS Info Video and also launching 1 Cool File, I did not accept the offer. Also, I'm not able to test this type of software properly. I did suggest to add it to 1 Cool File.

If your are a current user, you could leave a rating/review in it's page. Don't forget that I have a contest for those who register on 1 Cool File or blog about it.

In other news, I contacted Robosoft and 1 Cool File should be included in a few days in their database. Expect to have new stuff coming in soon. I did not know if Spyware Terminator(freeware) would had been the first or a software submitted with Robosoft.

ShareThis

Contest is over . The winners are here

And also check my other contest with $500USD this time

It' been a long time dream of mine to own a download site for shareware/freeware. This week, I had the opportunity to buy an engine to run it. I could had bought the database(more money) but I wanted to start clean with the latest version of every application. I will use it to promote my own freeware MIS Info Video.

Being a blogger, I added a Blog section for authors of plugins so they can have more exposure. One nice feature is that people can rate/review a file. I want it to be a one stop shop.

And now, meet 1 Cool File

The contest

Just copy the text below:

"Steve is launching his brand new site: 1 Cool File. It is a directory of cool files(shareware, freeware, plugins). For example, you can try a new media player after you have just finished a music download. You can add your ebook about making money or a screen saver. That's not all, it has a section just for blogs(plugins). You can also rate a file or make a review about it. It does support PAD files so tell authors about it.

And just by linking to the contest post, I can win $50. You should read the contest post to win 2 other prizes of $25/each if you don't have a blog. If your entry is before the next Google page rank, Steve will double the main prize. So, don't wait to long. It's coming soon!

And one more thing... You can read McGrath Dot Ca while there."

You don't have a blog:

I will randomly draw $25 from those that register on 1 Cool File(it's free).

I will randomly draw $25 from those that sent me relevant errors about my new site. Use the contact form there and mentioned the contest in the message. For example the news is empty and the search use Google and won't find nothing until it's indexed(1 week), so those 2 don't count.

End of contest: August 31, 2007

All prizes are in Canadian dollars

I will pay via PayPal.

Notes:

I submitted my site today to the Association of Shareware Professionals. Once I'm on the list, I will start getting new files everyday. Hopefully, it won't take too long to be on it! But you can tell it to plugins authors that they can start to add their plugins. They can't use the PAD files anyway.

Make sure that the links work from your site. Don't copy the text from the feed, just in case.

This is only the first step. I have many things in mind. So, do visit the site from time to time especially if you need a cool file.

You may leave your feedback here.

Edit 1 (2007-08-03): If the trackback don't show up here(may take a few hours), add a comment with your URL of the post

Edit 2 (2007-08-03): If you register(user not author) on 1 Cool File, please leave a comment here that your registered by using the same email at both places. This way, I will be able to find you.

Edit 3 (2007-08-13): During the move to the new blog, I the comments on some post like here. Don't worry I still got the email.

ShareThis

After many weeks, they are all out today.

MIS Info Video 2.7.0

• Support the MIS specification v1.2. All URL tags are now 200 characters. This will help with the long URL from tv.com
• New way to navigate your media files. Those who know css may build custom generated main page.
• Include Info2MIS in the installation. So, you won't have 2 applications to install from now on.
• Fixed many minor things
• The blog button sen it here and on Steve's Tech Blog

Info2MIS 2.0.0

• Support the MIS specification v1.2. All URL tags are now 200 characters. This will help with the long URL from tv.com
• Fixed the extraction of the poster from imdb.com(Info2MIS)
• The blog button send it here and on MISfan.com

MIS specification 1.2

• All URL tags are now 200 characters.

ShareThis

I have been using the Alexa Toolbar (Internet Explorer) and SearchStatus (Firefox) for a few months. But now, an official Alexa Toolbar for Firefox called Sparky is now available.

Heeeere is Sparky!

This is important for site owners because it will greatly help in getting a better Alexa ranking. The lower the number, the more money site owners can get from advertisers. Now, I just need visitors to installed Sparky.

I will still use SearchStatus (Firefox) because it give more information(Who is, Google PageRank...) but I did installed Sparky to make sure that my visits are counted on my sites and on other owner's sites that I go to. The new toolbar will show a traffic trend that SearchStatus did not do without using more space.

Depending on the type of sites, this will help greatly in improving the ranking.

For example: (Site, Firefox, Internet Explorer). The numbers are for July 2007

Steve's Tech Blog (81.44%, 15.74%)
2012movies.net (32.52%, 62.62%)
i2mfan.com (39.72%, 52.37%)
M.I.S. (37.08%, 55.29%)
MISfan.com (64.37%, 33.33%)
Experimental site (34.25%, 56.78%)

Firefox is mainly use on 2 blogs. Steve's Tech Blog is where an improvement should be the greater.

If you want to help site owners(like me) and get information about a site, then go installed Sparky!

The installation of Sparky is fast, simple and free. You will need to restart Firefox after that.

ShareThis

At last, I got an integrated help system for Info2MIS. Soon, I will be out of "beta" because I waited for the help to be finished. Beta seems to scare people but it should not in this case.

A part from the help, a lot of small things were added, changed or corrected.

This version is out because of some minor trouble when extracting the episode information from TV.com.

P.S.
If you never used Info2MIS before, it's a free application that will create a .MIS(metadata) for a movie or TV show to be read/played with MIS Info Video(also free). You can create a .MIS for movie in 2 clicks!  See an example for movie here .

ShareThis

This is a beta to show an additional way to display the media files. It's using an HTML page(mainpage.html). You must have v2.6.0.

If you have feedback or errors, please leave a comment.

ShareThis

Well, I'm releasing Info2MIS v2.0.0b13. Like I mentioned in a early post today, I corrected the troubles when importing the ftp files from imdb.com.

ShareThis