In today's issue we're trying something new: a peer review of a website. I've been writing back and forth with Jane Christopher, owner of www.onceatoy.com, trying to figure out what's keeping sales so low.

	We recently received this question: I have a site that uses frames. I want the page that opens to change, depending on the site where my visitors originate. Can you tell me how to do this? Volker Zabo Which prompted this article: How to Display a Specific Inner Page when Loading a Frameset By Matt Doyle Hope this helps, Volker, and thanks for your question!

I'm including her trouble-shooting email, complete with site stats so you can get up to speed.

I'd like to hear your opinions, criticisms, and, most importantly, your suggestions on how Jane can increase sales.

Include your url - the best suggestions I receive get published.

If you'd like to submit your site for a peer review, send me an email with "peer review" in the subject line. Be prepared to send me lots of data.

Our second article today, "A Winning Public Relations Game Plan," is a fantastic article from a venerable master of PR - Robert Kelly.
He's been in the business for years, so take notes.

Keep Clicking!
Garrett

OnceAToy.com Peer Review

Check the site stats below. Visit www.onceatoy.com. Take notes. Write me.

Jane Christopherson:
I own a retail toy store in Stowe Vt. (25 years) We have been trying for 3 years to get our web site sales up. I feel that we have a well rounded selection of toys to offer. I have PPC words with both Overture and Google Adwords.

Also send a bi-monthly news letter to about 600 opt-in customers.

Have been banging my head against the wall trying to promote. Have Overture and AdWords. Still no sales to speak of.

I would say that Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs are the best sellers at Christmas time. Hope the stats will help.

Traffic:

Timeframe 10/18/02 00:00:00 - 10/24/02 03:13:03

Number of Hits for Home Page: 1,030
Number of Successful Hits for Entire Site: 63,851
Number of Page Views (Impressions): 2,268
Number of User Sessions: 2,905
User Sessions from United States: 90.91%
International User Sessions: 2.4%
User Sessions of Unknown Origin: 6.67%
Average Number of Hits Per Day: 9,121
Average Number of Page Views Per Day: 324
Average Number of User Sessions Per Day: 415
Average User Session Length: 00:05:26

Software Downloads
MSN Contacts Manager IM Tool		Search Bar Search Tool

Timeframe 10/01/02 00:00:00 - 10/10/02 03:14:17

Number of Hits for Home Page: 1,444
Number of Successful Hits for Entire Site: 69,228
Number of Page Views (Impressions): 3,281
Number of User Sessions: 3,984
User Sessions from United States: 89.18%
International User Sessions: 2.73%
User Sessions of Unknown Origin: 8.08%
Average Number of Hits Per Day: 6,922
Average Number of Page Views Per Day: 328
Average Number of User Sessions Per Day: 398
Average User Session Length: 00:05:36

Top exit pages for the month of October:

http://www.onceatoy.com/ 33.55% 650
http://www.onceatoy.com/prodlist.asp 23.69% 459
http://www.onceatoy.com/product.asp 14.71% 285
http://www.onceatoy.com/namesearch.asp 7.33% 142
http://www.onceatoy.com/search.asp 4.59% 89
http://www.onceatoy.com/index.asp 3.09% 60
http://www.onceatoy.com/robots.txt 2.37% 46
http://www.onceatoy.com/category.asp 2.27% 44
http://www.onceatoy.com/allthetoys.asp 1.7% 33
http://www.onceatoy.com/CART.ASP 1.29% 25

FREE Trial! WebTrends Reporting Center 5.0 from NetIQ. - New features to manage your site, and more.

Keyword Search:

1 toys 1,091 15.9%
2 toy 412 6%
3 once 364 5.3%
4 upon 361 5.26%
5 tinker 238 3.46%
6 time 171 2.49%
7 mr. 137 1.99%
8 head 137 1.99%
9 games 127 1.85%
10 the 125 1.82%
(note: the brick and mortar store is named "Once Upon a Time.")

So, what's the deal? Why don't you write me?

FREE DOWNLOAD Control & Support PCs Over the Internet Get cross platform, cross protocol, control of distant PCs from your favorite Windows, Linux, OS/2, DOS or CE Pocket PC as well as from a web browser.

A Winning Public Relations Game Plan
By Robert A. Kelly

I have learned in my public relations work, especially from leaders in the field, that there are only three ways a public relations effort can impact behavior: create opinion where it doesn't exist, reinforce existing opinion or change that opinion. No surprise that the process by which those goals are realized is known as public relations. So, while behavior is the goal, and a host of communication tactics are the tools, our strategy is the leverage provided by public opinion.

Which is precisely why this article is titled "A Winning Public Relations Game Plan." Winning, because the plan is based squarely on the reality that people's perceptions of the facts directly affect their behaviors. And that something CAN be done about those underlying perceptions, especially in a land celebrated for the free exchange of ideas.

FREE DOWNLOAD Click Here - Self service email marketing for businesses of all sizes - build lists, create your custom sign up forms, etc.

I believe this is the Rosetta Stone of public relations, i.e., a clue to understanding that has provided the knowledge and experience needed to effectively address both the positive and negative challenges posed by public opinion in a free society.

Fortunately, public relations will continue to create, change or reinforce public opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-action those people whose behaviors affect the organization. When the behavioral changes become apparent, and meet the program's original behavior modification goal, that public relations venture can be called a success.
Read the rest of the article

For information about advertising within an iEntry email newsletter or via a targeted direct emailing contact Susan Coppersmith at susan@ientry.com.