DigiWeb

What is RSS? RSS, an acronym for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, is a format for syndicating content from web sites. More technically speaking, it is an XML-based protocol that allows for the automatic distribution of Internet content from via RSS aggregators or readers. RSS allows you to receive free updates by subscribing (or clicking on buttons labeled 'RSS' or 'XML') to information from sites that publish content (e.g. news outlets or bloggers). Think of it as an easy way to get a summary of "What's New" from all of your favourite web sites. Lewis Media uses RSS feeds to syndicate a variety of information including: LMI Blog LMI News and Press Releases Software Updates

Critical Reading about E-Commerce & Credit Cards Security Standards Background PCI is an abbreviation for the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council, an organization made up of payment card providers that sets the security standards and requirements for merchants and merchant account providers. PCI-DSS refers to the PCI Data Security Standards which was created by the Council to reduce payment card fraud. These standards form part of the merchant agreement signed by every merchant who accepts any type of payment card (credit, debit, etc.) directly, by telephone, or online. Both the level of security required by the standards and the consistency of enforcement of those standards have increased in recent years. There are clear indications that the standards will continue to be tightened in the coming years. As of December 31/07, all merchants must adhere to PCI Data Security Standards - or face substantial fees, fines, and penalties. These fees, fines, a

An Introduction to Writing RFPs A Request for Proposal is a crucial stage of the client/supplier relationship. Guidelines for an RFP are only now starting to become standard in the relatively new industry of web-related technologies. However, an RFP can help establish a line of communication and clarify the needs and requirements of your development project. This document can help you create a RFP. The proposal that Lewis Media and other proponents will prepare in response will attempt to cover, in detail, the time line, scope, technical requirements, and budget of the project. Therefore, the initial RFP should be as detailed and clear as possible; any budget limitations and time constraints should be initially established. This will help us all be on the same playing field from Day 1. Often a client can be daunted by a perceived need to approach a RFP from a technical perspective. An RFP should define your needs - Lewis Media will then interpret these needs into te

The Meaning of Common SEM Terms Aggregator An aggregator or news aggregator is a type of software that retrieves syndicated Web content that is supplied in the form of a web feed (RSS, Atom and other XML formats), and that is published by weblogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites Anchor Text This is the actual text part of a link that you click on to follow a hyperlink. Used by search engines as a ranking factor in their hypertext algorithm. For example, in the following link, the words " Anchor Text " are the anchor text. Blacklist Lists compiled by either search engines or vigilante users of search engine spammers. These lists may be used to ban spammers from search engines or to enforce boycotts of them. Bid Management Tool Software or an ASP service used to manage bids on pay-per-click search engines such as Overture. Bidding Placing a bid price that you are willing to pay as an advertiser on a pay-per-click search engine. The hi

Tools for Building your Business Online Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is the process and strategy of using search engine results as an advertising vehicle. This may include improving rank in organic listings, purchasing paid listings, or a combination of methods all designed to increase visibility, clicks and, of course, leads and orders. Search Engine Marketing involves balancing a number of different work streams including Search Engine Optimization, Advertising Campaigns (pay-per-click, pay-per-impression, or pay-per-performance) and Paid Listings. The Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing industries have changed greatly over the last few years. Some highlights of the current state of the art are: Search engines publicly acknowledge penalizing marketers that do not adhere to recommended best practices Search engines are attempting to better engage marketers and developers Everything can and should be measured, including traffic, bid costs, conver

Building Your Business Through Networking The best way to build your business through networking is....network! Half the battle is just showing up at the networking events. Of course showing up and avoiding interaction won't do much for your business either. The second half of winning with networking is making sure that people remember who you are and what you do. Some people think this means pushing into every conversation, and repeating their "elevator speech" a thousand times to a bunch of disinterested people who are desperately doing the same thing. Good networking does not work that way. Here are three tips for making the most of your networking activities and ensuring that people will remember who you are and what you do. 1. Be consistent show up regularly wear only one "business hat" with the same group of people to avoid confusion share a consistent marketing message 2. Be aware know who your ideal target customers are and ho