We've moved our blog over to the website www.datepositive.net.
You can find the blog by linking through to the homepage, or here: www.datepositive.net/blog
Monday, 16 November 2009
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Women free six-month Premium membership
Datepositive.net has just launched an offer giving new women members free Premium membership for six months.
The measure is aimed at increasing the number of women on the website. Typical dating websites have a ratio of 60 - 40 men to women and so the free offer is aimed at increasing the number of women onthe site.
The measure is aimed at increasing the number of women on the website. Typical dating websites have a ratio of 60 - 40 men to women and so the free offer is aimed at increasing the number of women onthe site.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
New site live
Datepositive has relaunched itself with a new, fresh website.
The site has done away with the heavy blue background colour and now orange on white. The new site also includes a couple of new features for Premium members - a forum and who's viewed my profile.
You can check out the new site at www.datepositive.net
For more on hiv dating and herpes dating follow this blog.
The site has done away with the heavy blue background colour and now orange on white. The new site also includes a couple of new features for Premium members - a forum and who's viewed my profile.
You can check out the new site at www.datepositive.net
For more on hiv dating and herpes dating follow this blog.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Tips for using Google Adwords
Google Adwords is the primary form of advertising for www.datepositive.net.
It works by allowing advertisers to bid on keywords for their product or service. You can generate some quick and good leads with Adwords, but it is not cheap. Worst of all, if you are in a competitive market, you can end up in a bidding war on keywords and the advertiser loses (while Google laughs all the way to the bank).
It's easy to waste money on Adwords if you are unclear about how to best use it, or how the various settings work. For a lot of people, refining a campaign can be trial and error. You may lose a bit of money during this refining process, but certainly not as much as you would if you blindly set up a campaign and don't work on it or monitor it.
Recently I've spent weeks working on our Adwords campaigns. I'm not going into the detail, only because what I've learned is out there on the web. You can find loads of information about Adwords if you Google the term Google Adwords. Then, become more specific with Adwords-related searches as you learn more and want to focus in on key areas of how to best use Adwords, or how to solve problems.
Your research can be a bit frustrating at times, because you will read contradictory advice. Even search engine optimisation (SEO) experts bring different points of view to the table. Some things will work for some websites, but not for others. I've dealt with this by trying out the different suggestions and seeing what works for me.
Here are my top tips for working with Adwords:
1. Be patient and do a lot of reading and research. Look through Google's Adwords blog and help sections. Lots of the info I found people searching for on forums etc is already provided by Google.
2. Check out the competition. Google your keywords and see what's coming up. How are the ads worded? What's your first impression? Would you want to click for more information?
3. Tools such as Google's keyword suggestion and keyword spy software should be used with caution. Google will suggest dozens of keywords, some of which are very general. In our campaign general doesn't work, and I've read this from other advertisers too.
4. To elaborate on point 3, pick targeted keywords specific to your product and service. With datepositive.net, you might think that dating is a good keyword to use. It isn't, and it's very expensive to bid on too.
5. Use the Google matching option tool with your keywords. There are three choices: broad, phrase or exact. Our campaign works best with exact, for obvious reasons. We want the ads to appear when people are searching for herpes dating, or hiv dating. From what I've read, most other users only use exact match too. Using the exact setting has increased our click through rate (CTR). There is a connection between CTR and cost - a higher CTR means you pay less for a keyword.
6. Think long and hard before using Google's content network for your advertising (as opposed to their search network). The content network consists of publishers who are running Google ads (Adsense) on their sites to earn advertising revenue. Your Adwords ad will appear on sites with content related to your service/product. However, how many people use content sites when searching for a product? If you do use the content network, set up a separate campaign and read Google's advice on how to have success on this network.
7. Again, on the subject of targeting, use Google's geographic targeting and age targeting tools where necessary. You can also select what time of day you'd like your ads showing.
8. Write your ads with care. Put your mind in the customer's position and aim to be persuasive and have impact. But don't exaggerate. If this isn't your forte, ask for help. We run more than one ad in our campaigns so that we can monitor which ones are really working.
9. Constantly monitor your campaign and tweak the settings, but make sure you know what you are doing! Use your campaign reports - they contain loads of useful information that can highlight problems. Most small firms can't afford an SEO specialist, although there are some out there who offer good service at a competitive cost. If you are going it alone, use forums such as www.webmasterworld.com.
Follow this blog for more on hiv dating and herpes dating.
It works by allowing advertisers to bid on keywords for their product or service. You can generate some quick and good leads with Adwords, but it is not cheap. Worst of all, if you are in a competitive market, you can end up in a bidding war on keywords and the advertiser loses (while Google laughs all the way to the bank).
It's easy to waste money on Adwords if you are unclear about how to best use it, or how the various settings work. For a lot of people, refining a campaign can be trial and error. You may lose a bit of money during this refining process, but certainly not as much as you would if you blindly set up a campaign and don't work on it or monitor it.
Recently I've spent weeks working on our Adwords campaigns. I'm not going into the detail, only because what I've learned is out there on the web. You can find loads of information about Adwords if you Google the term Google Adwords. Then, become more specific with Adwords-related searches as you learn more and want to focus in on key areas of how to best use Adwords, or how to solve problems.
Your research can be a bit frustrating at times, because you will read contradictory advice. Even search engine optimisation (SEO) experts bring different points of view to the table. Some things will work for some websites, but not for others. I've dealt with this by trying out the different suggestions and seeing what works for me.
Here are my top tips for working with Adwords:
1. Be patient and do a lot of reading and research. Look through Google's Adwords blog and help sections. Lots of the info I found people searching for on forums etc is already provided by Google.
2. Check out the competition. Google your keywords and see what's coming up. How are the ads worded? What's your first impression? Would you want to click for more information?
3. Tools such as Google's keyword suggestion and keyword spy software should be used with caution. Google will suggest dozens of keywords, some of which are very general. In our campaign general doesn't work, and I've read this from other advertisers too.
4. To elaborate on point 3, pick targeted keywords specific to your product and service. With datepositive.net, you might think that dating is a good keyword to use. It isn't, and it's very expensive to bid on too.
5. Use the Google matching option tool with your keywords. There are three choices: broad, phrase or exact. Our campaign works best with exact, for obvious reasons. We want the ads to appear when people are searching for herpes dating, or hiv dating. From what I've read, most other users only use exact match too. Using the exact setting has increased our click through rate (CTR). There is a connection between CTR and cost - a higher CTR means you pay less for a keyword.
6. Think long and hard before using Google's content network for your advertising (as opposed to their search network). The content network consists of publishers who are running Google ads (Adsense) on their sites to earn advertising revenue. Your Adwords ad will appear on sites with content related to your service/product. However, how many people use content sites when searching for a product? If you do use the content network, set up a separate campaign and read Google's advice on how to have success on this network.
7. Again, on the subject of targeting, use Google's geographic targeting and age targeting tools where necessary. You can also select what time of day you'd like your ads showing.
8. Write your ads with care. Put your mind in the customer's position and aim to be persuasive and have impact. But don't exaggerate. If this isn't your forte, ask for help. We run more than one ad in our campaigns so that we can monitor which ones are really working.
9. Constantly monitor your campaign and tweak the settings, but make sure you know what you are doing! Use your campaign reports - they contain loads of useful information that can highlight problems. Most small firms can't afford an SEO specialist, although there are some out there who offer good service at a competitive cost. If you are going it alone, use forums such as www.webmasterworld.com.
Follow this blog for more on hiv dating and herpes dating.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Symptoms of genital herpes
Information on herpes dating.
Most people with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) do not experience any symptoms of genital herpes when they are first infected and, as a result, do not know that they have the condition.
It is important to note that symptoms of genital herpes may not appear until months, or sometimes years, after you are exposed to HSV (usually by sexual contact with someone who already has the virus).
If you do experience symptoms when you are first infected, they will usually begin to appear between 4-7 days after you have been exposed to the virus. A case of genital herpes that occurs when you are first infected is known as a primary infection. If there are symptoms with a primary infection, they are usually more severe than those of recurrent infections.
Symptoms of a primary infection
If you have a primary infection of genital herpes, you may have several symptoms, including:
painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks,
blisters and ulceration on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women,
vaginal discharge (in women),
pain when you pass urine,
fever, and
generally feeling unwell.
The symptoms of a primary genital herpes infection may last for up to 20 days. However, the ulcers will eventually dry out and heal without leaving any scarring.
Symptoms of recurrent infections
Once a primary infection of genital herpes has subsided, your symptoms will have gone, but HSV will still be present in a nearby nerve. It is likely that the virus will be 'reactivated' from time to time, travelling back down the nerve to your skin, causing recurrent infections.
If you have a recurrent infection of genital herpes, your symptoms may include:
a tingling or burning sensation around your genitals before your blisters appear (this can signal the onset of a recurrent infection),
painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks, and
blisters and ulceration also on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women.
Recurrent infections of genital herpes are usually shorter and less severe than primary infections. This is because your body has produced antibodies in reaction to the primary infection, and can now fight HSV more effectively.
Your symptoms may last for 7-10 days and, in most cases, you will not have any of the other symptoms of a primary infection, such as a fever, or generally feeling unwell. Your blisters and ulceration may occur in the same area each time you have a recurrent infection.
Over time, you should find that any recurrent genital herpes infections become less frequent and less severe. Genital herpes that is caused by type 1 (HSV-1) tends to recur less often than infections that are caused by type 2 (HSV-2).
Published with permission of the NHS.
For more on hiv dating and herpes dating follow this blog.
Most people with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) do not experience any symptoms of genital herpes when they are first infected and, as a result, do not know that they have the condition.
It is important to note that symptoms of genital herpes may not appear until months, or sometimes years, after you are exposed to HSV (usually by sexual contact with someone who already has the virus).
If you do experience symptoms when you are first infected, they will usually begin to appear between 4-7 days after you have been exposed to the virus. A case of genital herpes that occurs when you are first infected is known as a primary infection. If there are symptoms with a primary infection, they are usually more severe than those of recurrent infections.
Symptoms of a primary infection
If you have a primary infection of genital herpes, you may have several symptoms, including:
painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks,
blisters and ulceration on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women,
vaginal discharge (in women),
pain when you pass urine,
fever, and
generally feeling unwell.
The symptoms of a primary genital herpes infection may last for up to 20 days. However, the ulcers will eventually dry out and heal without leaving any scarring.
Symptoms of recurrent infections
Once a primary infection of genital herpes has subsided, your symptoms will have gone, but HSV will still be present in a nearby nerve. It is likely that the virus will be 'reactivated' from time to time, travelling back down the nerve to your skin, causing recurrent infections.
If you have a recurrent infection of genital herpes, your symptoms may include:
a tingling or burning sensation around your genitals before your blisters appear (this can signal the onset of a recurrent infection),
painful red blisters, which soon burst to leave ulcers on your external genital area, rectum (back passage), thighs, and buttocks, and
blisters and ulceration also on the cervix (lower part of the womb) in women.
Recurrent infections of genital herpes are usually shorter and less severe than primary infections. This is because your body has produced antibodies in reaction to the primary infection, and can now fight HSV more effectively.
Your symptoms may last for 7-10 days and, in most cases, you will not have any of the other symptoms of a primary infection, such as a fever, or generally feeling unwell. Your blisters and ulceration may occur in the same area each time you have a recurrent infection.
Over time, you should find that any recurrent genital herpes infections become less frequent and less severe. Genital herpes that is caused by type 1 (HSV-1) tends to recur less often than infections that are caused by type 2 (HSV-2).
Published with permission of the NHS.
For more on hiv dating and herpes dating follow this blog.
Monday, 31 August 2009
What is genital herpes?
Information on herpes dating.
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The herpes simplex virus can also affect the skin on the face, causing cold sores to develop, usually around the mouth area.
There are two types of HSV:
* type 1 (HSV-1), and
* type 2 (HSV-2).
Genital herpes is caused by type 1 and type 2 HSV equally.
In most cases, genital herpes is a chronic (long-term)condition. Many people with HSV have frequently recurring genital herpes, recurring an average of four to five times in the first two years after being infected. However, the incidence of genital herpes decreases over time, and the condition becomes less severe with each subsequent occurrence.
The herpes simplex virus (HSV)
HSV is highly contagious and it can be easily passed from person to person by close, direct contact. Genital herpes is usually transmitted by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person.
Once someone has been exposed to HSV, it remains dormant (inactive) most of the time. At least 80% of people who carry the virus are unaware that they've been infected because there are often few or no initial symptoms. However, every so often the virus can be activated, causing an outbreak of genital herpes.
How is genital herpes treated?
When genital herpes does cause symptoms, they appear as painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding areas. However, even if someone with genital herpes doesn't have any symptoms, it's possible for them to pass the condition on to a sexual partner.
There is no cure for genital herpes, but the symptoms can usually be effectively controlled using anti-viral medicines. The symptoms of genital herpes also tend to become less frequent and less severe with each recurring bout of the condition.
Published with permission of the NHS.
Genital herpes is an infection of the genitals that is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The herpes simplex virus can also affect the skin on the face, causing cold sores to develop, usually around the mouth area.
There are two types of HSV:
* type 1 (HSV-1), and
* type 2 (HSV-2).
Genital herpes is caused by type 1 and type 2 HSV equally.
In most cases, genital herpes is a chronic (long-term)condition. Many people with HSV have frequently recurring genital herpes, recurring an average of four to five times in the first two years after being infected. However, the incidence of genital herpes decreases over time, and the condition becomes less severe with each subsequent occurrence.
The herpes simplex virus (HSV)
HSV is highly contagious and it can be easily passed from person to person by close, direct contact. Genital herpes is usually transmitted by having sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person.
Once someone has been exposed to HSV, it remains dormant (inactive) most of the time. At least 80% of people who carry the virus are unaware that they've been infected because there are often few or no initial symptoms. However, every so often the virus can be activated, causing an outbreak of genital herpes.
How is genital herpes treated?
When genital herpes does cause symptoms, they appear as painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding areas. However, even if someone with genital herpes doesn't have any symptoms, it's possible for them to pass the condition on to a sexual partner.
There is no cure for genital herpes, but the symptoms can usually be effectively controlled using anti-viral medicines. The symptoms of genital herpes also tend to become less frequent and less severe with each recurring bout of the condition.
Published with permission of the NHS.
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