This doesn’t seem to be a very common problem, but if it happens to you it can be very annoying!

Sometimes, when trying to upload an image to a WordPress post or page, you may get an error message that says, “Are you sure you want to do this? Please try again”.

If you click on the “Please try again” link you just get taken back to the main dashboard, but within the pop-up box where you would usually choose your image.

The most likely cause for this is an incompatible plug-in.

To find which one and correct this problem, first … did you recently upload or update a particular plug-in just before you starting seeing this error? If so, deactivate that plug-in and then try to upload an image again. If you can now upload images again, that plug-in was causing the problem.

However if you’re not sure which plug-in is at fault, deactivate all of your plug-ins. Now try to upload an image and you should find it uploads just fine.

So now go back to your plug-ins page and activate one plug-in. Try uploading an image again. Did it work?

If yes, that’s great. Now activate a second plug-in, then try uploading an image again.

Keep going through this process until all of your plug-ins that you want activated are active, except for at least one that, when activated again, will cause that image upload error. When you find that plug-in, either delete it or leave it deactivated.

You may find it helpful to have two tabs open in your web browser – one on the plug-ins page and another on a draft post/page where you can test uploading images.

I hope this fixes your images upload issue. 

Unable To Upload Image In WordPress is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

Have you ever thought about creating your own membership site?

Or a site where you can build a private, loyal community?

If so, then you should seriously do whatever it takes to get to the Membership Site Workshop being held in Brisbane, Australia, on May 28th-29th.

During this workshop you’ll learn how you can easily create your own membership site without breaking the bank. In fact, why stop at one? You can use the skills you learn to build multiple membership sites or even to provide membership site building as a service.

And the best part is … this workshop is free!

But registration is essential and seats are booking fast. Click the link below to book now so you don’t miss out!

Membership Site Workshop

Free Membership Site Training Workshop is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

Here’s a quick video showing you a cool new WordPress plug-in that I absolutely love!

The Super Affiliate Plug-In, by Bryan Wain, is a really handy plug-in to have on most WordPress sites.  And if you don’t have affiliate sites or promote affiliate products, don’t let the name fool you. It’s a handy plug-in to have on almost ANY WordPress site.

Download The Super Affiliate Plug-In Here

What Is So Great About The Super Affiliate Plug-In? is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

The nature of the internet is that it is constantly changing.

The search engines determine page ranks based on around 200 algorithms that are constantly being updated, so it’s important to be aware of that and not to put all your eggs in one basket.

That applies not only to where you’re creating links back to your site but also how you generate your traffic, what business models you use and so on.

It was a little over a year ago that Google changed its policies regarding AdWords’ PPC campaigns and that affected a lot of people – some who were paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a month in advertising fees to Google. Many people lost their entire income because of those changes.

But those who were using other forms of traffic generation as well as PPC wouldn’t have noticed the changes as much.

Similarly, those who rely on solely on Search Engine Optimization as their traffic source may find their income drops considerably after a single change to the search engines’ algorithms, but those who use SEO in addition to other strategies will generally be able to bounce back.

You just need to be aware of the changes and move with them.

In my opinion, anyone in online marketing who is using a variety of traffic generation, credibility and SEO strategies, who uses ethical marketing – and who is providing value with good, relevant content – has nothing to be concerned with.

Latest Search Engine Algorithm Changes is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

If you are a regular visitor to this site then you probably already know that I love the Thesis WordPress theme (the one I use for this site). It’s not the only theme I use, but it’s one of my all-time favorites, mainly because it’s so functional and extremely easy to customize, even if you aren’t particularly familiar with CSS.

Recently I came across a post on the Smashing Geeks site where they list a range of resources, tutorials and skins for Thesis.

So if you, too, like the Thesis theme, make sure you have a look at this post and perhaps bookmark it in your favorites.

NB: Compensated affiliate for Thesis theme.

Resources For Thesis Users is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

So … what is ‘The Automated Traffic Bot’ and what makes it different ?

Automated Traffic Bot

Surprisingly, very few online businesses take advantage of the traffic benefits of issuing Press Releases, preferring instead to follow the mundane routines of article marketing, which is far more complex and time consuming. Consider this – with article marketing, the business owner has to focus on indirectly driving traffic back to their web site by writing about a variety of topics, all without being able to clearly promote their business activities.

Press Releases on the other hand, allow the business owner to write short, compelling pieces directly about their business activities and present them to the media.

Online, there are dozens of FREE web services dedicated to the collection and distribution of Press Releases, which are in turn picked up and displayed on other, related web sites via RSS or News Feeds. Depending upon the news worthiness of the Press Release, it’s not uncommon to find them picked up by the media as filler material, which adds instant credibility to your online business!

The Automated Traffic Bot makes writing and submitting press releases easier than ever before.
The ‘Automated Traffic Bot’ Features:

Automatically Submit Your Press Release To 15 Syndication Sites – This will send out your press release to the key sites that will automatically spread ‘the word’ about your business or website in under 24 hours!

Complete AUTO ACCOUNT Creation – The sites that you will send your press release to will require you to create an account first, this can be time consuming, but the automated traffic bot will do all this for you*

(*Note: All you will need to do is confirm the registration by clicking a link in your email)

Unlimited Account Profiles – Now you can add as many account profiles as you wish meaning you can have MULTIPLE Accounts on all the syndication sites to really give you more exposure

Unlimited Company Profiles – You can add as many company profiles as you wish too. If you want to have a separate profile for each of your website’s you can, or even run this press release submission service for other people and charge them a fee to distribute their press release for them! – GREAT for Local Business Marketing!

AUTOMATIC CAPTCHA Solving* - To prevent mass spamming of sites many of the sites will require you to input a random ‘captcha’ code, again this can be done manually, but using Automated Traffic Bot’s Captcha solving service (* third party Captcha account req) you never need to input another captcha coder allowing you to submit tons of press releases over and over.

Supports Keywords - Keywords are the KEY to ranking your website and press release in the major search engines. Now you can tailor the press release submission to the EXACT keyword to ensure you get the maximum exposure.

Supports ALL PC Formats – Will work on Windows XP, Windows 7 without any upgrades or annoying additional framework downloads and installs. (sorry there is currently no MAC version available)

Grab Your Automated Traffic Bot Now by clicking the link below:

Automated Traffic Bot

However it is ONLY available until Midnight Sunday 14th November 2010, so you need to be quick!

NB: If you purchase Automated Traffic Bot through the link above I will receive a commission. I won’t recommend something I don’t believe is worthwhile (and yes, I have purchased this myself at the full price). 

Title: So … what is ‘The Automated Traffic Bot’ and what makes it different ?

Surprisingly, very few online businesses take advantage of the traffic benefits of issuing Press Releases, preferring instead to follow the mundane routines of article marketing, which is far more complex and time consuming. Consider this – with article marketing, the business owner has to focus on indirectly driving traffic back to their web site by writing about a variety of topics, all without being able to clearly promote their business activities. Press Releases on the other hand, allow the business owner to write short, compelling pieces directly about their business activities and present them to the media. Online, there are dozens of FREE web services dedicated to the collection and distribution of Press Releases, which are in turn picked up and displayed on other, related web sites via RSS or News Feeds. Depending upon the news worthiness of the Press Release, it’s not uncommon to find them picked up by the media as filler material, which adds instant credibility to your online business! The Automated Traffic Bot makes writing and submitting press releases easier than ever before. The ‘Automated Traffic Bot’ Features: Automatically Submit Your Press Release To 15 Syndication Sites – This will send out your press release to the key sites that will automatically spread ‘the word’ about your business or website in under 24 hours! Complete AUTO ACCOUNT Creation – The sites that you will send your press release to will require you to create an account first, this can be time consuming, but the automated traffic bot will do all this for you* (*Note: All you will need to do is confirm the registration by clicking a link in your email) Unlimited Account Profiles - Now you can add as many account profiles as you wish meaning you can have MULTIPLE Accounts on all the syndication sites to really give you more exposure Unlimited Company Profiles - You can add as many company profiles as you wish too. If you want to have a separate profile for each of your website’s you can, or even run this press release submission service for other people and charge them a fee to distribute their press release for them! – GREAT for Local Business Marketing! AUTOMATIC CAPTCHA Solving* – To prevent mass spaming of sites many of the sites will require you to input a random ‘captcha’ code, again this can be done manually, but using Automated Traffic Bot’s Captcha solving service (* third party Captcha account req) you never need to input another captcha coder allowing you to submit tons of press releases over and over. Supports Keywords - Keywords are the KEY to ranking your website and press release in the major search engines. Now you can tailor the press release submission to the EXACT keyword to ensure you get the maximum exposure. Supports ALL PC Formats – Will work on Windows XP, Windows 7 without any upgrades or annoying additional framework downloads and installs. (sorry there is currently no MAC version available) Grab Your Automated Traffic Bot Now by clicking the link below: YOUR_AFFILIATE_LINK However it is ONLY available until Midnight Sunday 14th November 2010, so you need to be quick

Very Limited Time … Increase Your Web Traffic Now is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

There can be many aims of a web site … to share information, to sell, to generate leads, to promote via ads, to create a community of like-minded people and many other purposes. Before you spend too much time – or money – on your web site you need to be clear on its specific aim and on the business model you’re using for that site.

Although some of the following information is relevant to other types of web sites, it’s written especially for web sites that are set up for the purpose of selling ‘something’, whether that something is a product, a service or anything else. And more specifically, for increasing online sales.

So now that we’re clear on that, have you ever wondered why some web sites seem to be more effective than others at selling and creating sales? There are a number of different reasons why this might be the case, many of which you might not even realize. To help you make your web site the best it can be when it comes to selling, let’s take a look at seven tried and tested tips for web sites that sell.

#1 – Don’t use Flash elements:

Flash elements may look really neat and be capable of some very cool effects, but for most web site visitors these elements are nothing more than a huge pain in the neck. They can take a long time to load, they distract from the main purposes of your web site, and they are generally a negative rather than a positive for the overall effectiveness of your web site.

With the exception of some practical uses in very, very small doses, no matter how tempted you may be to use flash elements … just say no!

#2 – Write in a conversational tone:

The last thing your web site visitors want is to read content that sounds too formal, stilted or even unfriendly. A much better approach is to write in a conversational tone; in other words, write in a way that sounds as if you’re simply carrying on a friendly conversation with the reader.

In fact, when writing your web copy it may help to imagine you’re speaking with one of your customers or prospective customers and write what you would say to them.

#3 – Write for your target audience:

The most conversational content in the world will not make your web site better at selling if it is not written in a way that’s designed for your target audience. For instance, if your target audience is young people, write in the style that they tend to speak or write in; or, if your target audience is people with a particular hobby then write in a way they will find interesting.

#4 – Don’t make it tempting to click away from sales pages:

A great selling web site gets visitors to the site but also gets them to the pages where they can actually make a purchase. The last thing you need is to successfully attract people to those sales pages but then have something there that tempts them to click away from actually making a purchase. So keep your sales pages focused on selling and leave the rest of the stuff that’s likely to distract them for other, more relevant pages.

#5 – Don’t make images too large to load quickly:

When the image files on your web site are extremely large they can take ages to load when visitors come to the site or click on one of the pages. The longer a reader has to wait for a page to load the more impatient they will become and the more likely they will be to abandon your web site and go somewhere else.

Therefore, make sure all of the image files are small enough to load quickly for visitors.

Remember also … even though you may have access to high-speed internet, not everyone does. Some of your readers may still be using dial-up connections.

#6 – Emphasize value:

Your web site is there in part to help sell products and/or services provided by your small business, but if you want the site to be effective at selling you must emphasize more than just those products and services. You’ll increase sales (and decrease the likelihood of visitors going to your competitors) if you emphasize the value of what you’re selling more so than just the specific product and/or service.

Remember to show your potential customers the BENEFITS of your product or service rather than the FEATURES. How will your product/service make your customer’s life better?  And what is the value of that benefit?

#7 – Answer questions proactively:

This is not about including a Frequently Asked Questions page – although you could certainly add one of those too – but rather about anticipating the kinds of questions visitors will have about your site and/or your products and weaving the answers to those questions into the web site content. Put yourself in their shoes; what kinds of questions would you have and what kind of information would you be looking for?

Now include that information within the content so visitors will find it quickly, easily and conveniently.

7 Tips For Web Sites That Sell is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

Whether your small business operates primarily online or primary in a bricks and mortar location, a web site is an important part of your overall business success strategy. To get the most benefit from any web site it’s critical to make sure its search engine optimization (SEO) is maximized.

There are over 200 algorithms that are used by search engines to determine your web pages’ ranks and these can change at any time.

You can pay a professional SEO company to optimize your site but many small businesses don’t have the funds available for this, especially in the very early days of operation. However there are a number of things you can do to optimize your website that will help your site to be found more easily in the search engines.

Let’s take a look at seven simple SEO strategies you can use to accomplish this goal.

Strategy #1 – Research relevant keywords

This is the critical first step because it helps you identify the search terms your customers and potential customers are using most often when they are searching for the products and/or services you offer.  Identifying these most relevant keywords makes it possible to start incorporating them efficiently and effectively into your web site.

Strategy #2 – Use these keywords in your page title, description, and meta-data

Once you have identified the most relevant keywords, be sure to include them in your page title, web site description, and meta-data.  This ensures search engines will find your web site and include it in search results for those keywords.

Strategy #3 – Use these keywords in your domain name

If at all possible, find a way to include the most relevant keywords in your web site domain name.  This further ensures it will be highly ranked by the major search engines.

Strategy #4 – Use these keywords in your text

It’s also important to weave the most relevant keywords into the text content of your web site because this affects search engine rankings as well.  The way you use them, though, is important; they need to be a natural part of the content rather than just words used as often as possible on the site.  If you go overboard on the quantity of keywords and don’t use them in a way that makes sense you may actually end up with lower search engine rankings as a result.

Remember … write for your readers first, search engines second.

Strategy #5 – Name your images

Every image on your web site, whether it is a graphic, a picture, an illustration, or the like, should be named with relevant keywords in mind.  Search engines don’t capture information about the visual content of these images, but they do capture information about the file names and the file context.

Strategy #6 – Backlink effectively

Search engine rankings are based both on the content of your web site and the links between your web site and other web sites.  They look not only at the quantity of links, but also at the quality of links; in other words, when you have a backlink to a web site with high rankings and high relevance to your web site and keywords that backlink is given greater weight by the search engine’s algorithm.

Strategy #7 – Publish new content regularly

Once you have your web site up and running with great search engine optimization, your work is not finished. Search engines also pay attention to how often the unique content on your web site is updated.  If you don’t update content regularly the search engines will interpret that as being a negative and will lower your rankings; if, however, you update content regularly then the search engines will interpret that positively and will raise your rankings accordingly.

There are many other strategies most people can do themselves, however,  if done well, these 7 steps alone may be enough to get your website found on page one of Google for your main keywords.

7 Simple Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Strategies is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

Having a website for your business is one thing, but getting traffic to it – the right kind of traffic – is something that many small business owners find daunting.

If you’re keen to discover new ways to get all the traffic you can handle to your website then the World Traffic Summit is worth getting along to.

This 3-day seminar will focus solely on traffic generation for your website(s) or online business, with some of the best-of-the-best from around the world traveling to Australia to share their tips and personal traffic strategies.

When: Friday August 27 – Sunday August 29, 2010

Where: Gold Coast, Australia

For more information and to register – World Traffic Summit

Are You Coming To The World Traffic Summit? is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins

When something doesn’t work the way it should or things don’t go right in one way or another, it’s easy to immediately play the blame game. We’ve all been there, I’m sure.

• You visit a website and get a ‘page not found error’ so you start blaming the site owner for mucking up their URLs.
• You click on a link within a document or page and a blank page opens, so again, the site owner or whoever put this page together has stuffed up.
• An email or fax you were expecting still hasn’t arrived, so you jump up and down at the unreliable so-and-so who promised they’d send it straight away.

When you manage a business and have other family, community and social commitments you often find yourself rushing to do things. But when something doesn’t work and your first thought is to immediately phone or email the person or company concerned, who has obviously stuffed up somehow, take a moment to stop to think about whether the problem actually lies with you (shock, gasp!)

Or perhaps not necessarily you, but maybe your computer, software, fax line, email program.

For example, in the case of a web page that doesn’t exist, are you sure you entered the web site address correctly? If you clicked on a link, did your email program break the link? If so, you should be able to access the web page by copying and pasting the entire address into your Internet browser’s address bar.

When you’re having trouble connecting to a particular web site it’s a good idea to check some other sites to determine if it’s just this site you can’t connect to or all sites, which may indicate a problem with your own Internet or modem.

If you clicked on a link within a web page and the new page or document didn’t open or opened as a blank page, perhaps there’s a setting within your Internet or security settings that is preventing it from opening. Or it may be that your firewall or anti-virus software is blocking it for some reason. Could it be that the document that should open was created with a program that you don’t have on your computer? Or maybe you need to get the latest updates for one of your programs, such as Flash or Java.

My examples here are predominantly focused with technology, but other factors can also be the cause of things not going the way they should. That’s okay … the point I want to stress here is that sometimes the ‘obvious culprit’ isn’t actually the cause of your frustrations.

So before you start blaming others (and perhaps embarrass yourself in the process) take a few moments to look at the entire situation in order to solve the problem. Then, if you can’t find a solution, contact the person or company concerned and – rather than telling them they need to get their act together – politely let them know that you’re having trouble accessing abc or you still haven’t received the email/fax/phone call/payment, and do they have any suggestions as to how you can resolve this.

Before You Start Playing The Blame Game… is a post from: Donna-Marie Coggins