GCU Forum - Back to basics.

Karen_150884

Full Member
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Posts: 149

Back to basics.
May 5^th, 2011, 6:03am

Hello. I have a few questions that I'd love answers to. Before I start, please bare in mind that I only got my first laptop and Internet access in November last year, so please forgive me lol..!!!
Firstly, what is a 'squidoo lens'? How do I start one and how do I use it?
How do 'search-engines' find you? And why does it take six months?
Finally, I'm trying really hard to fathom out 'ZAZZLE'! If anyone can help me to figure out there awful
banner instructions, i'd be very grateful (will probably give up through as GCU is def. easier!)
I've also noticed that some stores have a moving link to them and wondered why GCU allow this as they are separate companies?? (And how do you get them onto our stores?)
Many thanks

Karen.

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Doreen_137017

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Posts: 5274

Re: Back to basics.
Reply #1 - May 5^th, 2011, 8:07am

Wow, so many questions Karen... Grin

I'll answer a few to get you going. Zazzle's banner is really no different than GCU's. Go to your Zazzle Dashboard, choose the STORE SETTINGS and you'll see a place to upload your banner. You can either have a 200L x 900wide or a 100L x 900wide. Simply find that jpg on your computer and upload it. Very simple.

Others can go for the rest of your questions since I'm on the run this morning, but I'll check back later to see if I can be of further help Wink

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SunAtNight_145914

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Posts: 719

Re: Back to basics.
Reply #2 - May 5^th, 2011, 9:32am

Quote from Karen_150884 on May 5^th, 2011, 6:03am:

Hello. I have a few questions
How do 'search-engines' find you? And why does it take six months?

A brief attempt to answer.
Search engines use a really complicated mathematical equation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PageRank) to analyze data that has been collected. Data collection for search engines is achieved through a code that is known as indexing (also known as crawling or spidering). Now imagine every web site in the world needs to be indexed. That's a pretty high number. Even if you just consider that every web site in the United States, that's a pretty high number too which is why it takes 6 months. Web sites are dynamic they change. Search engines can't just index once, they must keep on indexing in a never ending cycle.

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SunAtNight_145914

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Posts: 719

Re: Back to basics.
Reply #3 - May 5^th, 2011, 9:39am

Quote from Karen_150884 on May 5^th, 2011, 6:03am:

How do 'search-engines' find you? And why does it take six months?

Forgot the first part....
Search engines find web sites mostly through submissions. Web developers insert metadata and other snippets into the scripting of the web site. This is known as a small part of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) The domain (home page) is submitted to the search engines.

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Cathy_151407 Junior Member artist Posts: 61	Re: Back to basics. Reply #4 - May 5^th, 2011, 1:44pm Thanks for the tips on Zazzle, I got my banner up! Will see if I will keep it or not!
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Websprinter_148078 Senior Member artist Posts: 374	Re: Back to basics. Reply #5 - May 5^th, 2011, 4:38pm Probably not kosher but I just use bumper stickers or post existing graphics until I find something that works. I've made only a few Shop Banners, one with just ties to advertise my ties and one with just Keds shoes to advertise my shoes. Fun but very time consuming.
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Karen_150884 Full Member artist Posts: 149	Re: Back to basics. Reply #6 - May 5^th, 2011, 11:12pm Thanks for info, very useful. I'll work on banner lol. Still would like to know about a 'squidoo lens' is though, if someone could help? Thanks.
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Websprinter_148078

Senior Member
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Posts: 374

Re: Back to basics.
Reply #7 - May 6^th, 2011, 12:23am

Hi Karen,

Search is not working for me tonight but I saved this in a word doc.:
Quote:

Re: squiddo lens

I have some links from my old squidoo days.

How to Squidoo -- A Step-by-Step Primer
http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-for-dummies

Here's their update page:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/SquiduReview

Squidoo lenses by categories:
http://www.squidoo.com/browse/splash

I was curious what there was about GCU on Squidoo so I did a search and got:
http://www.squidoo.com/search/results?q=GCU%2C+greeting+card+universe%2Cmaking+g reeting+cards%2C+graphics

<snip broken link>

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« Last Edit: May 6^th, 2011, 1:51pm by Websprinter_148078 »

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Karen_150884 Full Member artist Posts: 149	Re: Back to basics. Reply #8 - May 6^th, 2011, 11:30am Many thanks!
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Websprinter_148078 Senior Member artist Posts: 374	Re: Back to basics. Reply #9 - May 6^th, 2011, 1:52pm You're Welcome Karen
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Marian_154354

GCU Newbies
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Posts: 5

Re: Back to basics.
Reply #10 - May 20^th, 2011, 1:25pm

Quote from Websprinter_148078 on May 5^th, 2011, 4:38pm:

Probably not kosher but I just use bumper stickers or post existing graphics until I find something that works. I've made only a few Shop Banners, one with just ties to advertise my ties and one with just Keds shoes to advertise my shoes. Fun but very time consuming. Roll Eyes

Why do you see shop banners as "very time-consuming"? I tried to send you a message, but I just opened my GCU shop and have only posted 2 cards so far (you have to have 11 to send a message). But you can message me if you want.

I know a lot about banners and how to do them quickly. Cheers, Marian

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