I've had this article sitting around for a while, it is definitely worth reading if you are thinking of redesigning your website.
The article comes courtesy from Rob Sullivan

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Planning A Site Redesign? Read This First!

By Rob Sullivan
Expert Author
Article Date: 2005-11-29

I can't tell you how many sites I've consulted on where, without a word to the SEM team, the site owner re-launches with a brand new site.

Sometimes it's a simple cosmetic change but more often than not its a completely new site with new page naming conventions and new folder hierarchy. In this article I am going to try and explain how you can minimize the impact to your search engine rankings when performing a redesign.

A typical scenario

One I'm sure most SEM's are familiar with:

You receive a panicked phone call one day from a client. "My rankings are all gone, what have you done? My search engine traffic has dried up and I'm not getting any referrals!"

So the first thing I do is go to the site and guess what? It's different than it was just a few days ago. So I ask the client: "When did you do the redesign?"

"2 days ago. Why?"

"That's the problem. You redesigned without consulting me. You've essentially given the search engine a new website. That means the engine has to re-learn the site and how it works."

Mind you I haven't had to deal with this is a while, but I remember cases in the past where this has happened. So my first advice to someone planning such a redesign, no matter how minimal, is contact your local SEM or SEO professional and get their opinion.

Even a simple re-skinning of your site can have a huge impact on rankings.

How can even simple changes affect a site's rankings?

Let me explain why:

First, let's look at Google. Earlier this year, they released a patent that basically illustrates how much "smarter" Google will be. But in making itself smarter, Google is making it harder for site owners to make any changes.

Basically any change over a given threshold (and no, no one outside of Google knows what that threshold is) will trigger a review of the site, which means it gets removed, or lowered in the index. You may be OK with a 5% or 10% total change site wide, but anything over that will likely trigger such a review.

Because engines like Google can't "see" the site, they have to compare the HTML to earlier cached versions to see if there's been changes. When Google crawls a site (or page) they assign a calculated value, based on hundreds of elements, to the page. This is a fairly unique computational value, similar to a CRC value.

When Google comes back to request the page again, they perform this same calculation on the page and compare the CRC values. If they are different, they know there's been a change and they need to revisit and re-cache the page. However, if there's been a significant enough change (again breaching that predefined threshold), then Google needs to take a closer look at the page or site.

Yahoo! and MSN work similarly, however MSN tends to react a little quicker than Google. When MSN notices a change, the page(s) drop for a few weeks until the new changes are "assimilated" by the engine.

Yahoo! on the other hand, will index the page, however you may not see a change in their results for some time. This is because the engine updates less frequently than Google or MSN. Therefore when Yahoo! does update, your previously cached pages will likely drop and NOT be replaced until the NEXT index update. Your site could drop out of the Yahoo! index for a month or more.

So how to you minimize the impact?

First, and I can't stress this enough, consult with your SEO/SEM consultant. If they tell you there won't be an impact then find another firm, because I can tell you from experience that even the most minor cosmetic changes will impact your site.

As such you must prepare for an impact. because it's no longer a matter of it may happen. However by following these simple steps you can minimize the impact.

Whenever possible, you should try and keep your old structure and naming conventions. This will help minimize the impact. Even if the page layout and look changes, if the crawlers can find the pages in the same location, this will make the re-indexing happen quicker, restoring the site to its previous rank sooner.

However, if you are doing a site wide reconstruction - that is new pages, new names, new folder structure. Be sure to keep the old site. Before you make any changes, you will want to check what rankings already exist and 301 those pages to the "new" pages. I say keep the old site because you can do this check and redirect on a page by page basis. If your pages are dynamic (PHP or ASP) you can insert redirect code on the pages. If the pages are static HTML you can use meta refresh code to redirect to the proper page.

Keep the old pages until you know they've been removed from the indexes of all the major engines, and then remove them. Be sure you have a custom 404 error page also in place in case some of these pages have been bookmarked, or otherwise referred to by visitors after they've been removed.

The alternative to keeping the entire site is to use software like a URL rewriter to perform the redirect. A URL rewriter intercepts page requests and forwards them to the "proper" page. While many people use re-writers to turn dynamic sites into static sites, they are also useful for these types of redirects.

Be sure to use services like the Google XML sitemap submission, or Yahoo's bulk submit feature to resubmit your "new" site. While you can wait for the crawler to find all the new pages, it's probably better to give them a little push in the right direction.

You should also know that if you are planning on adding a bunch of new content to existing sections of the site that new content will impact rankings. This is because the engines have to evaluate the new content to see what impact it has on the rest of the site in terms of link inheritance and overall contribution to the theme of the site or section. This will delay your site's re-indexing.

Finally, prepare to pay for listings. Set aside some budget for a PPC campaign. It would be best if you could afford to pay for your high traffic general phrases, because these are likely the phrases that will take the longest to recover from a major site change. You shouldn't have to bid on branded phrases (such as your company name) because these rankings will likely return the quickest.

If, however, you have competitors or affiliates bidding on those terms you may also need to bid on them to keep your traffic up. You should already have an agreement in place which forces your affiliates to bid lower than you on these terms, so you should be able to keep your costs down on them.

You should have the budget to cover two to three months traffic. This is likely an extended duration as most sites are re-indexed fairly quickly but it is better to be prepared for it, in case something happens.

Your PPC campaign should also cover the major PPC engines - at this time they are Yahoo! and Google. You could also branch out to other smaller engines such as Ask Jeeves and Looksmart as they can sometimes send highly qualified traffic at a fraction of the cost of the larger providers.

As a side note, when you set up your PPC campaign, don't use broad matching. Try and keep your campaign as specific as possible - this will help you keep your costs down because you'll only be paying for those clicks, and they will likely be more qualified clicks.

If you follow these simple tips: planning for and minimizing changes as much as possible and preparing for the worst by planning a PPC campaign to offset your losses, then you should be able to maintain your traffic and recover your previous positions within a short period of time.

About the Author:
Rob Sullivan - SEO Specialist and Internet Marketing Consultant http://www.textlinkbrokers.com

Much like finding a great mechanic for your vehicle, finding a great computer guy is just as tough. DSV Microtech is the only computer shop I will trust with my machines, they are well worth the drive. If you are having any sort of computer problems (hardware, spyware, viruses, need a new machine or your old one is just slowing down) I would 100% suggest dropping in at DSV Microtech & let them take care of it for you. They are located on 560A 11th Avenue, Campbell River, B.C. Tel: (250) 286-3173 Online: www.dsvmicro.com

Western Anglers recently got a thorough site update. Mark operates out of Campbell River, and offers fishing locally & on the west coast of Vancouver Island. See his web site at www.westernanglers.ca

For anyone who has wondered about VoIP (Internet Telephone) services, I have come across some very good information on the subject.

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VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls over an existing Internet connection instead of a regular (analog) telephone line. Some services that use VoIP only allow you to call other people using the same service, usually done when making PC to PC phone-calls. Other services allow you to call anyone, anywhere (as long as they have a telephone number) including: local & long distance, mobile, and international numbers. This type of VoIP service allows you to use a traditional telephone that plugs directly into a phone adapter.

The great thing about VoIP is that all the additional features are included in the monthly fee. These features include: unlimited local & long distance calls into the US & Canada, voicemail, call waiting, caller id, three-way, just to name a few. Most VoIP service providers typically charge between $20 and $25 dollars a month.

VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely redesign the entire world's communication infrastructure. VoIP providers have already been around for several years and growing at a tremendous rate. Currently, there are over 6 million users of VoIP worldwide and that number is growing exponentially.

FAQ About VoIP

1. Can You Provide Me With a Brief Explanation of VoIP?

VoIP allows you to make telephone calls over an existing Internet connection. VoIP converts a voice signal (analog) from your telephone into a digital signal that then travels over the Internet to the desired location. It then converts the digital signal back to analog so the person on the other end can hear what you are saying.

2. How Do I Make a VoIP Phone Call?

The first step of making a VoIP phone call is to subscribe to a service. Once you sign up for service, the VoIP service provider will then send you a broadband phone adapter, which plugs directly into your internet connection. You will then have to plug your existing telephone into the phone adapter. Lastly, all you have to do is pick up the telephone and dial the number.

3. What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need to Use VoIP?

You need three things in order to use VoIP:
(a) A high-speed Internet connection (either cable or DSL);
(b) A broadband phone adapter (provided by the VoIP service provider); and
(c) Any standard (analog or digital) telephone.

Is there a difference when placing a local or long distance call when using VoIP? Not really. VoIP phone calls are made just the same way as traditional calls are made. When dialing local calls, all you have to do is dial 7 digits (555-1212) and when dialing long distance, all you have to do is dial 11 digits (1-408-555-1212).

4. Can I Call Anyone Using VoIP?

Yes. You can call anyone, anywhere as long as they have a valid telephone number. It can be a local call, long distance call, international call, cellphone, toll frëe, 911 (assuming they have E911 capability) and 411 directory assistance. Most VoIP providers will not allow calls to 900 or 976 telephone numbers, nor will they accept collect calls.

5. What are Some Advantages of Using VoIP?

(a) Cost - Most VoIP providers charge between $20 and $25 a month.
(b) Unlimited calling in the U.S and Canada.
(c) All the features are included (voicemail, caller id, call waiting, 3-way, call forwarding and much more)
(d) VoIP is portable. You can take the phone adapter anywhere where there is an existing Internet connection, plug it in and make calls as if you were at home.
(e) The ability to choose your own area code. You can live in New York and choose to have a California telephone number.

6. Are There Any Disadvantages of Using VoIP? Yes.

(a) If the power goes out in your home you will also lose your Internet connection, which means that your phone service will also be down. Some VoIP service providers offer a feature that allows customers to designate a forwarding number if their Internet connection goes down for any reason.

(b) Not all VoIP Providers offer E911. This means that if you call 911 from your VoIP phone, it may not go to the local public dispatcher. Rather, it will get routed to an answering service first.

(c) Call Quality. At certain times of the day, the call quality of phone conversations will suffer. This could be due to bandwidth sharing, or slow Internet connection.

7. Do I Need a Computer to Use VoIP?

No. Although most VoIP customers do have a computer, one is not needed. The broadband phone adapter simply plugs into a router (or modem) to get a connection.

8. Can I Use VoIP When I Travel?

Yes. You can use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you have a high speed Internet connection available and you bring your broadband phone adapter and telephone with you.

9. How Will I Know if Someone is Calling Me from a VoIP Phone?

You won't. The VoIP phone works just like a traditional telephone. The quality and experience is that good.

Here's an interesting piece By Alex Bard. To sum it up, the city of San Francisco, Google and EarthLink have teamed up to create a wireless city (1500 sq. miles), offering free/low cost wi-fi access throughout Silicon Valley.
This will be interesting to see how it plays out, if all goes well, maybe one day we could have a similar service in our smaller cities.

Will Wireless Silicon Valley Become A Reality?

Imagine being able to use Wi-Fi anywhere in a 1,500 square mile area. If the Wireless Silicon Valley project becomes a reality, this possibility will become a reality.

Last Friday, the San Mateo County Communications Authority, Intel Corp., and Smart Valley, an initiative of Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network, signed an agreement to develop a Request For Proposal to do just that. A group representing 24 cities and two counties has agreed to work with an economic development and public policy organizations to design a high-speed wireless data network that will cover all of Silicon Valley, a project they have been developing since 2004.

At this point, the group hopes to provide free or low-cost Internet access. The result may be the choice between free Internet access which will be supported by advertising or faster access using a fee-based ad-free service. This is the system proposed by San Francisco, Google and EarthLink.

The San Francisco project has led to concerns from the seemingly ever-present ACLU, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the Electronic Frontier Foundation as to just how private and secure the information gathered from this Wi-Fi will be. And for what purpose will it be used? These groups wrote a joint letter to the Wireless Silicon Valley organization inquiring what their plans were to insure users' privacy once the network is built.

JVSVN foresees municipal uses for the project also. Government employees will be able to use wireless systems to monitor crime scenes, fire locations, traffic signals, flood control, sewer pumps and water lines, and even wireless parking meters al at no cost to the taxpayer. In a time when disasters seem to occur more often than ever before, this will be a boon to citizens, especially those in disaster-prone California.

I just finished updating Walter Driscoll's online reading guide for G. I. Gurdjieff. New section for Katherine Mansfield as well as a review for An Outsider's 'Life Inside the Gurdjieff Work' - James Moore's Gurdjieffian Confessions: a self remembered, reviewed by J. Walter Driscoll. View site @ www.gurdjieff-bibliography.com

Here is a story just emailed to me from Site Pro News, you may find it valuable if you are set up with any PPC services... Yahoo Used in
Spyware Click-Fraud Scheme
By Jim Hedger, StepForth News Editor,
StepForth Placement Inc.

Through its Overture pay-per-click search division, Yahoo has been found facilitating fraudulent clíck activity generated by known spyware makers including 180solutions, Intermix, and Direct Revenue. The Spyware - Click-Fraud Connection -- and Yahoo's Role Revisited, (Apr. 4, 06), shows how at least a dozen different spyware firms redirect Internet users searches through their servers, inserting Overture ad links on unrelated websites or with pop-ups triggered by those sites.

Ben Edelman is a researching PhD candidate at the Department of Economics at Harvard. In his follow up to a Sept. 5, 2005 paper, How Yahoo Funds Spyware, Edelman documents a web of relationships between Overture and, "... a startling number of notorious spyware programs."

A recent graduate of Harvard's Law School, Edelman lays out his argument methodically, briefly explaining what constitutes click-fraud and ways in which it happens. He also notes that Yahoo has tried to sever its relationships with the offending firms, often unsuccessfully, as they (spyware makers) continue to include Overture code in their spyware rograms. "When Yahoo terminates one fraudster, that fraudster's partners find another way to continue operations."

A few paragraphs down, he notes, "After I highlighted these vendors in my August report, it seems Yahoo attempted to terminate its relationships with them. Yet 180 continued not just to show Yahoo ads, but also to perform click-fraud, as documented." Eliminating spyware click-fraud is likened to a game of Whack-a-Mole. When Yahoo moves to shut down one channel, another is immediately opened.

Edelman calls the methods outlined in his study, Spyware Syndicated PPC Fraud. "Suppose X, the Yahoo partnër site, hires a spyware vendor to send users to its site and to make it appear as if those users clicked X's Yahoo ads. Then advertisers will pay Yahoo, and Yahoo will pay X, even though users nevër actually clicked the ads."

Using four detailed case studies, conducted between Dec. 17, 2005 and Apr. 2, 2006, Edelman traces traffïc generated on test PCs known to be contaminated with various spyware products. Using packet logs, screenshots, images and video, Edelman effectively demonstrates how each of his conclusions was drawn.

In one case, he shows a link inserted on a New York Times document anchored to the word "prime minister". The link was placed by Qklinkserver and would not appear on an uninfected PC. It was placed without permission from the Times. When clicked, the link sent traffïc through Overture to a PPC advertiser.

The study names, Intermix, 180Solutions, Nbcsearch, eXact, Ditto, Look2me, Ad-w-a-r-e, Improvingyourlooks, Qklinkserver, Srch-results, Claria, InfoSpace, SurfSideKick, TrafficEngine, HotBar and IBIS, as companies directly involved in spyware click-fraud.

Edelman goes on to note, "Yahoo's problem results from bad partners within its network." Because it distributes advertising to third parties who might in turn syndicate those ads to others, Yahoo has no real control over how its ad codes are used to generate clicks.

The problem of click-fraud is an ever-present danger in pay-per-click advertising, one that troubles Google as well. David Utter at WebProNews quotes Google CEO Eric Schmidt saying, "Believe me, as a computer scientist, we have the ability to detect the invalid clicks before they reach advertisers", juxtaposing the quote against the $90million settlement Google reached in the Lanes Gift and Collectables class action.

Edelman closes his study with a realistic but stern warning. The problem is not going to go away. In fact, it is likely to get worse. The market for spyware vendors is drying up, mostly because consumers are aware of the problem and corporate advertisers no longer want to be associated with it. The spyware makers are increasingly turning to more complex systems, including the money-rich PPC market, to find susceptible targets.

Spyware makers have long been known leaches on the Internet. Some, such as Claria receive support from large venture capital firms such as US Venture Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures. In some cases, they have become parts of much largër companies, including some of the world's largest advertising firms. For example, Intermix is a division of News Corp and owns the social network MySpace.Com.

Now that several noted spyware makers have been shown to be involved with click-fraud scams, Yahoo and Google should be moved to immediate action. Aside from protecting the integrity of their PPC programs and maintaining the trust of their advertisers, they must be aware that the New York Attorney General's office is watching.

In a speech sponsored by TRUSTe and the International Association of Privacy Professionals, Ken Dreifach, chief of the Internet bureau in the New York State Attorney General's office, said that entities such as Google and Yahoo can be held accountable for how their affiliates use their content.

In an article published by MediaPost, Shankar Gupta quoted Dreifach saying, "You don't want to ever assume that the existence of intermediaries, whether it's two or six, is going to immunize you from liability."

About The Author
Jim Hedger is a writer, speaker and search engine marketing expert based in Victoria BC. Jim writes and edits full-time for StepForth and is also an editor for the Internet Search Engine Database. He has worked as an SEO for over 5 years and welcomes the opportunïty to share his experience through interviews, articles and speaking engagements. He can be reached at jimhedger@stepforth.com.

I just finished updating Greg McKay's website for his company HYMAX Charters (salmon fishing, tuna fishing, cruising, sightseeing, etc) a few weeks back. His homeport is in Tofino, British Columbia on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Check out his site www.hymaxcharters.com