How to add a host to your blog
I was delighted this morning to come across a traffic generation video on YouTube that was different to all the rest i.e. some ‘guru’ banging on about SEO techniques that everyone already knows about. Admittedly it was an advert for a product, but it was something totally new to me and with the impressive figures included in the sales video, I couldn’t help but to give it a go.
So, courtesy of SitePal I’ve added a host to my blog - you’ve probably already heard him talking in a classic ‘English accent’. He’s fully customisable and I tried to get him looking like me - see my avatar at the top right of the blog. I’m hoping he will help to bring in some traffic or some comments, but I’m really keen also to hear from anyone else who has tried SitePal before. Is there any value in it for bloggers, or even bigger businesses?
This literally took a couple of minutes to setup, once I’d registered of course.
I only have a 15 day free trial after which time my character host will stop working - that is unless I sign up for the monthly subscription, which I may if he proves useful. I can’t help loving this product and I’ve had some fun setting it up. Do you think if I ask nicely SitePal will let me keep him for free…?
Tag:blogging EMarketing
August 11th, 2007 at 7:51 am
I love the sitepal site. They are doing a great job. To tell the truth, I don’t know how much traffic you can generate after adding a host to your blog. In general, I like the idea, but I think having a host added to your blog has a nice impact only at the beginning. Once your readers have seen your host the first time, the reader wishes to skip it and keeps going what he/she was doing. In my opinion, the interaction between the host and you is only one-way communication. The host talks to you and you listen to it. Sooner or later you get tired to listen to it. It would be great if the communication was both-ways. I mean, you can talk to or write some words to your host and it can response you. Of course, this functionality can only be reached if artificial intelligence is applied.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:46 am
So are you keeping your guy? I found him a tad disturbing, I felt like I was in Dr. Who’s blog. But it did make me want to check out Site Pal. I really would have to think about putting one of these guys on any of my blogs, but I can see some of my clients for web development possibly going in for this sort of thing.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Hi Kersson, I agree with you, having had the host on my blog now for over a week I can see it has some real drawbacks. I have seen a slight increase in visitor numbers, but I attribute that to other traffic building ideas. The value really is in explaining to people how to interact with the site. If is grows in functionality and intelligence it could be fantastic, especially for two way communications.
Hi Michelle, no, my SitePal host will be retiring at the end of his free trial. I love the idea of the product but in reality it needs a careful and well thought out plan to be used well. For example, it might be better off in a FAQ page to read out answers to questions, rather than on a home page.
After a while I actually found him more than disturbing, even annoying! Still the guys at SitePal have been helpful and I believe the product is very good if you can find a sensible application for it. I love the idea it reminded you of Dr Who! Exterminate!
February 27th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Marketing Blagger RULES!