The following sites are our most valuable resources when submitting to website awards or optimizing a site to win awards. This list will be used in our upcoming web conference, but you may find it useful in the meantime.
Awards Scoop
http://www.awardsscoop.org/
Website Awards
http://www.website-awards.net/
Website Awards Worksheet
http://www.website-awards.net/worksheet.htm
How to Win Awards
http://www.website-awards.net/howtowin.htm
Articles About Awards
http://www.website-awards.net/articles1.htm
World's Top Awards
http://www.website-awards.net/topawards.htm
Award Sites!
http://www.awardsites.com/
Award Sites! Award Directory
http://www.awardsites.com/web_awards/directory.htm
Website Award Articles
http://www.awardsites.com/articles/list-wsa.htm
Maestro Awards
http://www.maestroawards.com/
How to Win the Top Web Awards
http://www.bton.com/glory/
Webs Awards
http://www.websawards.com/
Treasures of the Web
http://www.treasuresoftheweb.org/
Awards Ethics Club Global
http://www.treasuresoftheweb.org/AECGlobal.html
Quality Independent Web Awards
http://www.qiwa.org/
Euro Award Index
http://www.euro-award-index.de/
Awards by Australian Webmasters
http://aussieawards.homestead.com/
Website Evaluators Code of Ethics
http://cemcema.com/
Award Graphic Hosting
http://www.webmaggic.com/tutor/host.html
Red Stag Awards Resources
http://www.dochertyfamily.com/stag_resource.htm
Creating Killer Websites
http://www.killersites.com/
Web Style Guide, 2nd Edition
http://www.webstyleguide.com/
WebDeveloper.com
http://webdeveloper.com/
WebMonkey
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/
World Wide Web Consortium
http://www.w3.org/
Browser News
http://www.upsdell.com/BrowserNews/index.htm
Usable Web
http://www.usableweb.com/
PageResource.com
http://www.pageresource.com/
Web Wonk
http://www.dsiegel.com/tips/
Doctor HTML
http://www2.imagiware.com/RxHTML/
Web Developer's Virtual Library
http://www.wdvl.com/
Resources About Web Awards
http://www.geethazone.com/resources/resourawards.html
Mesweet's Award Site
http://www.mesweet.net/awards.html
Award Resources
http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/awd1/awards_resources.htm
Vivante is a new Internet search engine that just launched today. For more information on the search engine, including info on getting your own site listed, see: http://www.vivante.com/qa.php
We received the following note this morning from David Yancey, founder of Vivante:
Greetings -
Today, Wednesday, Nov 19th, www.vivante.com is being formally announced to thousands of web journalists, academic experts, and search industry professionals. The launch is being managed by Eric Ward, famous among Internet gurus for having led the launch of Amazon.com, then for being a creator of the "link popularity" strategy that is now used by every SEO professional and experienced webmaster.
See the official announcement at: http://www.urlwire.com/news/111903a.html
We are now getting our first paying orders for Vivante listings. We expect the rate of orders to increase gradually, as each step of our guerilla campaign kicks in. Our next big step will be the release of our search-related game for intelligent consumers, hopefully by the end of November.
Meanwhile, the underlying search and indexing platform continues to evolve and improve. Unlike other search directory technology, which is based on rigid hierarchies of topics, we can continuously adjust and tune Vivante's topic tables as searchers' needs and interests change - and as we learn more how best to array a major topical area. Similarly, the geo-search tools are getting "smarter" - we'll see the inclusion of geo areas for Canada, then Europe and Japan over the coming months.
With the launch of Vivante.com, and the beginning of revenue production, Adjunction has reached its next and, by far, most important pair of milestones. Stay tuned for more progress with Vivante.com, ProWebguide.com, and our exciting third site, to be unveiled in the coming months. Those who wish to be a part of our success need to contact me now for the updated Business Plan.
Best wishes for a successful, happy, and safe holiday season.
David Yancey
dyancey@adjunction.com
1 727 576 8859
In our upcoming report, we provide 14 key points to creating a successful order-recovery email sequence. Here is a preview:
1. Focus on service. Many abandoned carts are caused by problems or frustrations with the order process. Your potential customers will be much more likely to respond if they know that you are interested in helping them. Let them feel your authentic concern.
Consider using text similar to: "We noticed that you did not complete your order and we wanted to do everything we can to help. We are concerned that you may have encountered an error while completing your order. How can we assist you?"
2. Respond right away. It is important that you respond as soon as possible after the carts are abandoned. The more time that passes, the more likely customers will forget about your offering. If possible, automate your first message so that it will be sent out within minutes of the abandoned order.
3. For subsequent messages after the first, we have found that scheduling the second 24 hours after the first and the third 72 hours after that to be quite effective. However, you shouldn't take our word for it. Experiment with different sending schedules to see which one produces the best results for your unique offering.
4. Focus on the benefits. Whatever your product or service, give the recipient of your messages a reason to click through and visit your site again. What makes your offer unique? How will it benefit the customer?
5. Focus on convenience. If it only takes 90 seconds to complete an order on your site, let your potential customers know.
Suggestion For Email Copy:
1. You need a strong headline. Customers need something definitive, with helpful information.
2. Your email needs to be personal. You need to slow down, write your customers, and let them feel your authentic concern. Relationship is the key to repeat sales.
3. People don't buy from websites. People buy from people. You website needs a personality.
4. People know when their name is just a mail merge field. Don't overuse this feature.
5. You need to look at what is selling and you need to feature it. And consider that the featured product is more than an offering -- it is a proof of your value proposition.
6. Tell us how many products you have. But consider featuring the "Top 10 Sellers".
7. Tell me about your customers service. People are concerned during the Christmas season about getting what they ordered on time.
RATING SYSTEM
These sites were rated for usefulness and clarity, but alas,
the rating is purely subjective.
* = Decent ** = Good *** = Excellent **** = Indispensable
News:
Opt-In News ****
http://www.optinnews.com/
spamNEWS ****
http://www.spamnews.com/
List-News **
http://emailuniverse.com/list-news/
Email Marketing News **
http://www.emailmarketingnews.com/
MailUtilities **
http://www.mailutilities.com/
Guides:
EmailSherpa ****
http://www.emailsherpa.com/
ClickZ Email Marketing ****
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/
ClickZ B2B Email Marketing ***
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/b2b_em_mkt/
ClickZ Email Marketing Case Studies ***
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/case_studies/
ClickZ Email Marketing Optimization ***
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/opt/
ClickZ Email Newsletter Strategies ***
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/enl_strat/
About.com Email Marketing ***
http://email.about.com/cs/emailmarketing/
A Practical Guide to Using Email to Build Relationships **
http://www.convio.com/site/PageServer?pagename=eMarketingGuide
ClickZ Email Infrastructure **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/infra/
Email Marketing Reports **
http://www.email-marketing-reports.com/
Email Marketing Resource Center **
http://www.email-marketing-software-resource.com/
Ezine-Tips.com **
http://ezine-tips.com/
Email Marketing Tips **
http://www.marketingoninternet.com/email-marketing.html
Email List Management and Distribution **
http://www.epdigest.com/articles/management/20010514/
Email Click-Through Tracking: The Basics **
http://www.epdigest.com/articles/promotion/20011107/
Tracking Email Subscription Requests **
http://www.epdigest.com/articles/promotion/20011116/
HTML Email Basics **
http://www.epdigest.com/articles/design/20010927/
Life Along the Email Continuum **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/em_mkt/article.php/3093501
Email Copy Clinic: The Power of Words **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/em_mkt/article.php/3078721
Email Address Forensics **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/em_mkt/article.php/3084271
Permission: Black, White and Gray **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/em_mkt/article.php/3076521
Case Study Follow-Up: Flash and Email **
http://www.clickz.com/em_mkt/case_studies/article.php/3100101
Direct Email Marketing Guide *
http://www.requestsoftware.com/email-marketing.htm
Email Marketing 101 *
http://www.idesignbusiness.com/email_guide.asp
Books/Reports:
Permission-Based Email Marketing That Works ***
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0793142954/
Permission Marketing ***
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684856360/
Email Marketing **
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471383090/
Net Words: Creating High-Impact Online Copy **
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0071380396/
Poor Richard's Email Publishing **
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966103254/
Email Marketing Metrics Guide 2004 **
http://sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/1976
How to Get Your Permission Email Past Filters **
http://sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/2094
Email List Hosting Buyers Guide **
http://sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/2003
MarketingSherpa's Top 25 Case Studies on Marketing with Email Newsletters **
http://sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/1993
Customer Service Email Response Improvement Toolkit **
http://sherpastore.com/store/page.cfm/2014
The Email Marketing Handbook **
http://www.wilsonweb.com/ebooks/handbook.htm
Internet Direct Mail *
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0658001361/
E-Newsletters That Work *
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1401091237/
Directories:
Email Results ***
http://www.emailresults.com/
DMOZ Email Marketing **
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/E-mail/Marketing/
Yahoo! Email Marketing **
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Marketing_and_Advertising/Direct_Marketing/Direct_Email/
Ezine Advertising Directory *
http://www.onlineforsuccess.com/ezine-marketing-directory.htm
List-Advertising.com *
http://www.list-advertising.com/
Events:
Jupiter Events **
http://www.jupiterevents.com/
Internet Marketing Conference **
http://www.internetmarketingconference.com/
Email Conferences **
http://www.email-conferences.com/
Email Marketing Conference
http://www.denec.nl/ **
Email Marketing - The Next Step Conference **
http://www.istart.co.nz/index/HM20/AL22140/AR24966
Spam Info:
OpenRBL.org **
http://openrbl.org/
DNS Realtime Black List **
http://www.dnsrbl.com/
SpamWare.org **
http://www.spamware.org/
Better Ethics Online **
http://actionsites.com/beo/
Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email **
http://www.cauce.org/
SpamCon Foundation **
http://www.spamcon.org/
Fight Spam on the Internet **
http://spam.abuse.net/
SpamCop **
http://vww.spamcop.com/
Spews.org **
http://www.spews.org/
Spamming Bureau **
http://www.spammingbureau.com/
Spam-Blockers.com **
http://www.spam-blockers.com/
MAPS Realtime Blackhole List **
http://mail-abuse.org/rbl/
Open-Relay Database **
http://www.ordb.org/
Marketing Group Sets Spam Guidelines **
http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/internet/02/09/dma.spam.guidelines.idg/
Spam Guidelines **
http://www.quantumbiz.com/en-us/pg_49.html
The Permission Emailer's Guide to Avoiding Filters **
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2460
New OECD Guidelines Target Spam, Fraud **
http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/enterprise/story/0,2000048640,20275516,00.htm
Vendors:
SparkLIST ***
http://www.sparklist.com/
L-Soft ***
http://www.lsoft.com/
DoubleClick **
http://www.doubleclick.com/
ActionMessage **
http://www.actionmessage.com/
AdHawker.com **
http://www.adhawker.com/
AdMail.net **
http://www.admail.net/
Arial Software **
http://www.arialsoftware.com/
BlueHornet **
http://www.bluehornet.com/
Constant Contact **
http://www.constantcontact.com/
DeployEmail **
http://www.deployemail.com/
DocuMatrix **
http://www.documatix.com/
eMailBrain **
http://emailbrain.com/
EmailCampaigns.net
http://www.emailcampaigns.net/
The Email Company **
http://www.theemailcompany.com/
EmailFactory **
http://www.emailfactory.com/
Email Labs **
http://www.emaillabs.com/
Email Logic **
http://e-maillogic.com/
Email Marketing Campaign **
http://www.emailmarketingcampaign.com/
Email Marketing Central **
http://www.email-marketing-central.com/
EmailReaction.com **
http://www.emailreaction.com/
EmailROI **
http://www.emailroi.com/
emailto.com **
http://www.emailto.com/
EmailXtreme **
http://emailxtreme.com/
ExactTarget **
http://exacttarget.com/
FreshContact **
http://www.freshcontact.com/
GotMarketing.com **
http://www.gotmarketing.com/
GravityMail **
http://www.gravitymail.com/
HTML Email Marketing **
http://www.html-email-marketing.com/
IMN **
http://www.imninc.com/
Inbox Advertising **
http://www.inbox-advertising.com/
Inbox Interactive **
http://www.inboxinteractive.com/
Inbox Marketing Inc. **
http://www.inboxmarketinginc.com/
Informz **
http://www.informz.com/
iPost **
http://www.ipost.com/
ListHost.net **
http://www.listhost.net/
Lyris **
http://www.lyris.com/
Mailout.com **
http://www.mailout.com/
MailWorkZ **
http://www.mailworkz.com/
Microsoft bCentral **
http://www.bcentral.com/marketplace/default.asp
nTarget **
http://www.ntarget.com/
Savicom **
http://www.savicom.net/
SKYLIST **
http://www.skylist.net/
Subscriber Mail **
http://www.subscribermail.com/
Targetware **
http://www.targetware.com/
Xtenit **
http://www.xtenit.com/
emailtools.co.uk **
http://www.emailtools.co.uk/
U.S. Host Office **
http://www.ushostoffice.net/
BusinessWeek, Nov 10, 2003:
"The developers of new search engine "Dipsie" claim that when it goes live next July the program will search 10 billion web pages, triple the number that Google searches.
"Most search engines search out "static" web pages but the majority of websites are dynamic, including sound and motion.
"Dipsie's secret - all search engines use algebra to prioritize relevant items. Dipsie adds language-based or semantic analysis to the equation sensing content and context. This improves the odds for spot-on results."
Find out more on the Dipsie web-crawling bot at: http://www.dipsie.com/bot/