Resourcestravaganza Episode 2: The Alexa Toolbar

It should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of the Alexa Toolbar.

Here’s Why:

1. Name research: During our naming process we perform many checks to ensure that names we propose aren’t in use in our client’s industry. One of the methods we use is the Internet. When we do find a hit on a name the Alexa Toolbar will often show us companies and websites related to the target name – enabling us to get an understanding of how the name is being used and how it fits within a particular industry.
2. Industry research: When developing a name for an industry that is somewhat unfamiliar to us the toolbar can quickly expand our understanding by showing us who the major players are.
3. Stat tracking: Alexa is one of the most respected sources for website traffic statistics. If your readers (and you) have the Alexa toolbar installed (and actually visit the site rather than read it via RSS) it will reflect favorably on your traffic rankings. (Yes, I know that the stats are rather flawed, but they’re as good as anything else out there) And besides, this is the tool that I use to create the weekly Naming Blog Rankings. Folks looking to move up in the rankings would do well to install the toolbar in their browsers.
4. Brainstorming: When you’re stuck for ideas the toolbar can act as a mental prod. Everyone knows how to use a thesaurus to kickstart creativity, but not many people can say they use something like Alexa. Alexa can be a non-traditional stand-in for a Thesaurus. The best part is that the connections that you make with Alexa can’t be found in the books that everyone else is using – so the chances of coming up with new ideas or connections are increased.
5. Competitive research: Not only can the toolbar help you find your competitors, it can give you a pretty good idea how well they’re doing. If the Alexa rank is poor (and they have an internet side to their business) then they’re probably not raking in the bucks.)

The tradeoff? Your surfing will be tracked in a database somewhere… So if you’re goin’ to site that you don’t want known you’ll have to figure out how to turn the darn thing off. Privacy advocates probably aren’t going to be fans of this thing.

Check these links for comments and commentary on the Alexa toolbar and Alexa in general. Also click here to find mostly dissenting views.

Tate Linden
Principal Consultant
Stokefire Consulting Group
703-778-9925