Internet Browser Toolbars - Alexa Toolbar
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Alexa offers an Internet browser toolbar that offers some unique features.
From a search engine optimization viewpoint, the primary feature is Alexa’s site statistics. As Alexa Toolbar users surf the internet, the many Toolbars installed on browsers, collect visitor data on the level of traffic received by the various sites. That site information is tabulated and is available to users of the Toolbar. Keeping track of competitor companies, and their web traffic volumes, can help a business owner assess where their business stands relative to the competition.
Alexa ranks internet sites by traffic volume. As visitor traffic flows increases, so does the Alexa traffic rating. The top ranked sites, by Alexa recorded visitor traffic, are available at http://www.alexa.com and are searchable by category.
Another handy feature is the website owner information, that is readily available. The contact information can very helpful for establishing sales and marketing relationships, sourcing suppliers, and for creating link exchange partners.
As with all installable toolbars, the Alexa Toolbar offers a search function. Powered by the Google search results, the user simply enters the required keywords into the search box provided.
As is common to all of the available browser toolbars, the Alexa Toolbar offers a pop-up blocker as well. The user is provided the option of allowing, or of preventing, the new window from opening. The pop-up blocking feature appears to have found a ready internet user demand, as all browser toolbars include one, in some form or another.
A unique feature of the Alexa Toolbar is the Wayback Machine. By clicking on the Wayback button, the user is able to see how a website appeared at different times in the past. The older appearances of websites are archived for viewing. To access the previous looks, a user simply selects a date, and the Wayback Machine provides the older archived version of the website as it appeared at that time.
Alexa’s version of Related Links enable the browser user to access sites that other visitors have visited. Because of Alexa’s extensive Toolbar generated surfing records, the similar links are recorded, to create a list of other sites of interest to the user.
You can also e-mail a web page to a friend with the Tell A Friend button. Simply fill in the recipient’s e-mail address, and Alexa sends the page, along with a detailed note of the e-mail’s origin.
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