In the role of web site designer, I find it useful to have Firefox set up with various Extensions for helping test compliance, keep track of Google Adsense earnings, checking PageRank and Alexa rating, etc…

However, when I am simply surfing the internet, I don’t want to be weighed down by all these tools, cluttering up my status and toolbars. I like a slick, simple browser that looks good and works quickly.

Fortunately, I am able to have both of these scenarios in Firefox, through the wonder of Profiles.

How do Firefox Profiles work?

Firefox allows multiple users to set up the browser to suit their own specific needs and tastes, from Themes and Extensions to Bookmarks and Home Page. Upon startup of Firefox, you are able to choose which user profile you would like to use. So, you can now have a profile for your web development needs, one for your personal surfing, and even one for the kids (allowing you to increase Firefox’s security measures). Each profile is independent of the others, so it’s like having a new installation for each user.

How do I activate Firefox Profiles?

1. Firstly, find the Firefox shortcut on your desktop (or create one from the .exe file).
2. Right-click it, and select properties.
3. Lastly, in the Target box, add ‘ -p’ without the apostrophes to the end of the target line (so that it reads something like ‘C:\Program Files\Mozilla\Firefox\firefox.exe -p’), and click OK.

Now when you start Firefox through this shortcut you will be prompted with the Profiles Manager box (as long as you do not already have an instance of Firefox open). It’s all self-explanatory from thereon.

For faster start-up, I advise that you keep two shortcuts on your desktop — one to load up Firefox as normal, and this new one to execute only when you want to change profile.

About the Author

Rob Barrett is a freelance graphic and web designer, who loves smart design and clean markup.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at www.rob-barrett.com

© Rob Barrett Design.

“Why do you put quotation marks and square brackets around some keywords?”

I was a bit surprised to realise that I couldn’t actually answer him — not in any definite way, at least. So, I set to work finding out what the matching options mean, and how they affect results.

First up is the default, Broad Match. This is where a keyword phrase is written as is, for example: google adwords

This method means that your Ad will potentially be shown to anyone searching for ‘google’ and ‘adwords’, in any order and possibly with other terms. So, anyone searching for ‘adwords google help’ could see your Ad.

Next is Phrase Match. This is where a keyword phrase is enclosed by quotation marks, for example: “google adwords”

This is essentially the next step up from Broad Match — your Ad could be shown to anyone searching for ‘google’ and ‘adwords’, but only in that order, and possibly with other terms included in the search. So, ‘how to start a google adwords campaign’ could trigger your Ad to be shown.

The last in the ‘positive’ matching options is Exact Match. This is where your keyword phrase is enclosed by square brackets, for example: [google adwords]

This is the most specific of the three types. In this case, your advert will only be shown if somebody searches for ‘google adwords’ in that order and with no other terms.

These options each have their own merits, but generally, the more specific the search term, the higher your CTR (Click Through Rate).

If you have a small niche to start with, then Broad Match will give you the most exposure. The downside is that the large number of triggering phrases could push your CPC (cost per click) up, as a result of competition.

Larger markets require highly-targeted Ads, and this is where Exact Match (and Phrase Match, to an extent) comes into play. Imagine trying to get clicks from keywords such as ‘car parts’ compared to ‘ford fiesta rear wheel bearing’. Obviously, the more specific your keyword terms, the more likely you are to get an interested visitor to your site.

The last of the keyword matching options is Negative Keyword. This is where a keyword is precluded by a minus sign, for example: -tricks

This stops your Ad from being shown if somebody searches using that term. For example, ‘google adwords tricks’ would stop your Ad from being shown.

This is useful for pre-qualifying prospect clients — if you are trying to sell something, then ‘-free’ would be a good term to include in your Keyword list.

Of course, as with any marketing campaign, which of these methods will work best for you is unpredictable, so always remember to test, test test!

Best of luck with your Google AdWords campaign!

About the Author

Rob Barrett is a freelance graphic and web designer, who loves smart design and clean markup.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at www.rob-barrett.com

© Rob Barrett Design.