HubPages - FAQ's on a new author's web page site

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Does the Internet need another expert web page engine? You be the judge.

HubPages is similar to Squidoo in the broad strokes and different enough in the details to be of interest. I think there is a great deal of synergy in linking the two expert resources through our author pages.

This lens looks at HubPages, offers some background information, and hopefully answers some of your questions about this new Web2.0 entry.

If you are interested in joining the HubPages party now, click here.

 

Comparing Squidoo and HubPages 

there is a basic similarity, but the devil is in the details ...

In comparing the two models, remember that both are about offering one page, expert web pages. The goal is to develop credibility, brand recognition, and traffic, all leading to revenues.
  • In Squidoo we are Lensmasters. In HubPages we are Authors. Different labels for the same role.
  • In Squidoo the web pages are called lenses. In HubPages the web pages are called Hubs.
  • In Squidoo the page sections are called modules. In HubPages the sections are called capsules.
  • Both are essentially linear pages, but HubPages does allow some capsule nesting so you can put a photo capsule next to a text capsule.
  • Squidoo's business model has a charity component. HubPages does not.
  • In Squidoo, the lensmasters revenue opportunity is a relatively small piece of any revenue stream. HubPages features revenue possibilities to the Authors by making affiliate connections easy.
  • Squidoo allows limited HTML. I haven't seen this capability in HubPages yet.
  • You've got a memorable Squid for a logo or a gear? Hmmm, back to the drawing board . . .
  • I characterize both as expert pages but author style differences are beginning to appear. Squidoo pages seem to be more about a topic, and more evergreen reference material. HubPages seem to be more expository and opinion or position based. We will see!

New! Combining Squidoo and HubPages 

Make a suite of expert pages...

Both HubPages and Squidoo have their loyal authors and a reader following. Some authors work in both venues. Why not link the two?

Here is a HubPage that essentially promotes a series of Squidoo lenses:

Software tips, tricks and tweaks

Here are Squidoo lenses that use the Plexo module to focus on tips for a single software title:

Office 2007 tips...

Firefox tips...

Outlook tips...

Vista tips...

Frequently Asked Questions 

I received permission from HubPages to quote from their site FAQ's. I've excerpted them to provide some quick answers and provide a touch of their style.

FAQ 1. What's a Hub? 

"Hub is your personal webpage, written and designed by you, with lots of help from us. It's your Hub. Use it to share your passions with the world, whatever they might be. We've seen product reviews, travel guides, and how-to Hubs; Hubs about celebrity gossip, local politics, and bible study; Hubs used to promote businesses, brag about grandchildren and conquer the world of rock and . . ."

FAQ 2. How do I create a Hub? 

"Making a hub is so easy, we can describe the process in just five steps.

* Step 1: Create an account. This takes about a minute.
* Step 2: Pick a title, and maybe some tags to describe the Hub.
* Step 3: Add some Content Capsules (text, photos, products, comments, etc.).
* Step 4: Publish your hub.
* Step 5: Fix yourself a lemonade, friend. You're done!"

FAQ 3. What's a Capsule? 

"Capsules are the building blocks of a Hub, and they make adding content easy as pie. Want to add text? Use a Text Capsule. Want to add a picture? Use a Photo Capsule. You can add comment boxes, RSS Feeds, eBay and Amazon listings and more. Once you've added content to a Capsule, pick a background color to make it pretty, and click the arrows to move it around your Hub."

FAQ 4. How do I get paid? 

". . . Here's how it works: Hubpages lets you link affiliate IDs from eBay, Amazon and Google (with more partners in the works) so that your Hub can display ads and products like any professional web site or magazine. The more impressions you get, the higher your share of the profits. . ."

Invitation to HubPages beta 

Interested in joining the HubPages party now?

Join HubPages

Create your account with your own user name and password.

Enjoy! Please let me know what you think of HubPages. It's an experiment for me also. I'm expecting good things from making complementary Lens/Hubs and cross linking them.

First impressions? 

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Reader Feedback 

Thanks for visiting. Hope this lens was informative and helpful.

Lensmaster

MrMystery wrote

Nice Hub, Angela. HubPages just added Fan Clubs which is a shot at community. They need forums so Hubbers can chatter. That would also allow them to share their vision.

Reply Posted October 14, 2006

Lensmaster

AngelaHarms wrote

Well, here's my one hubpage: http://www.hubpages.com/Tantrum-Free_Toddlers

I think I've figured out what hubpages is missing. It's vision. Community is part of that, but it's not all of it.

Reply Posted September 29, 2006

Lensmaster

AngelaHarms wrote

I think hubpages has some characteristics that are pretty cool. But it doesn't have *community.* I dunno. It just doesn't seem addictive to me. Squidoo definitely has the advantage here.

And what's with the new name?

Reply Posted September 25, 2006

Lensmaster

Pandrogas wrote

I am currently in the beta for HubPages and while it may have a couple advantages in terms of revenue generation, I much prefer the look and functionality of Squidoo over HubPages. Lenses here just tend to flow better and the content can be sectionalized to make it more coherant. Good comparison!

Reply Posted August 16, 2006

Lensmaster

Cavecreek wrote

Angela, yes the pie is still split but author gets a way bigger piece. The question is "how big is the pie?"

Reply Posted August 15, 2006

Lensmaster

AngelaHarms wrote

You still have to share with hubpages, don't you? That is, they replace the link with their own sometimes. But you get to add the sales to any sales form your other pages, which could bump up your percentage. :)

Reply Posted August 07, 2006

Lensmaster

Cavecreek wrote

Hey C, from my perspective the advantage of having your own accounts with Amazon, AdSense and Ebay is that you get all the affiliate revenue. Thanks for the feedback.

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

Lensmaster

wrote

I'm still waiting to find out what AdSense options Squidoo will give us before I come back, but HubPages isn't even in the running. It's ugly as hell, and you have to set up your own affiliate account with Amazon. Whatever it is they think they're doing better than Squidoo, it must be invisible.

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

Lensmaster

Cavecreek wrote

Julianne, thanks for the blurb! Checked out your lenses, and Cleveland rocks!

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

Lensmaster

Cavecreek wrote

Angela, thanks for the feedback. I had the link but it was buried. I added a "Special Invitation" Module. Thanks!

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

Lensmaster

genglo wrote

Thank you for creating this informative lens. This looks like an interesting concept. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

Lensmaster

AngelaHarms wrote

Hey, you didn't put a link to hubpages! Also, doesn't Hubpages encourage content more than Squidoo does? Squidoo counts links highly when assigning lensrank, for example.

Nice Lens! :)

Reply Posted August 03, 2006

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