What exactly is caffeine? It is a colorless, somewhat bitter substance that is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and cola. It is also in many over- the-counter medicines and in many diet/weight loss supplements. It is a stimulant and it is considered a psychoactive drug. It is the most widely consumed drug in this country. Drugmakers are required by law to list the amount of caffeine in their product, however, food and beverage companies do not have to. The caffeine that is taken out of coffee beans to produce decaffeinated coffee is then sold to drug companies and soft drink manufacturers.
It can be a welcome waker-upper in the morning taken in that morning cup of coffee. It also helps give some a boost to stay awake late in the day. However, the boost isn't necessarily instant as it takes about an hour for the effects of caffeine to make it's way through the bloodstream and into the system. It has benefits and it has side effects. It helps keep us alert. It stimulates the central nervous system. Some say it improves physical and mental performance. It has diuretic activity. Some studies list is as a mood elevator, and a pain reliever. Because of the increased alertness levels of those who consume caffeine, there has been improved performance in activities such as test-taking, driving, flying and problem solving.
There are side effects of caffeine though. Those are insomnia, nervousness, increased tension and anxiety-panic attacks, just from drinking the amount of 300 mg. The amount that causes these side effects vary from individual to individual, however, children seem to have a lower tolerance of it because of their lower body weight. The Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women to avoid it altogether. The FDA does list it as a "safe food additive", even though pregnant women should avoid it. For those that take it regularly every day, going without it a day can cause withdrawal symptoms such as, headaches, irritability, a lack of energy and of course, sleepiness. These withdrawal symptoms are short lived though.
The following is a chart and the amount of caffeine in products you use and consume daily.
6 ounce cup of coffee - 64mg to 150mg
5 ounce cup of tea- 40mg
12 ounce can of cola- 40mg
hot cocoa - 1 cup 4mg
6 ounce chocolate bar 25mg
2 Excedrin tablets 130mg
Besides weight loss products and stay awake products and energy drinks, caffeine is being tested for pesticide use and it has been laced in women's panty hose for it's constrictive effects that are supposed to shrink thighs. Love it or hate it, caffeine is and always has been a big part of American culture and probably is here to stay.
In spite of the fact that the Internet is so incredible pervasive in today's society and in the business world, the technology is still in its infancy: and website advertising is constantly changing. Many advertisers are just starting to realize how effective and profitable website advertising can really be, and the individuals selling ad spots online often have to rush to keep up with a quickly growing market.
Website advertising can be a mixed bag for your business or project. While there's no guarantee that buying ads on a popular website will launch your sales and exposure to a new level, you can adhere to some guidelines that will help make your online ad campaign a bit more successful.
First, make sure that you're advertising on a website in a similar niche. That may sound like common sense advice to some people, but you would be surprised at how many advertisers purchase space on websites or blogs that have absolutely nothing to do with their product. If you are advertising a microwave oven, you don't want to buy ad space on a political site. Even if the site gets massive amounts of traffic, it won't convert for your advertising and you won't get many clicks. And the clicks you do get probably won't be interested in buying microwave ovens.
Instead, spend some time doing research about the most popular websites in your niche and what their advertising prices are. Don't just jump at the first opportunity you come across, but instead compare traffic levels, prices and ad sizes to make sure you get the best deal possible. Remember: if a website really is getting a lot of relevant traffic, they won't be afraid to share their numbers with potential advertisers.
If the website does not publish their daily visitor statistics publicly, make sure that you request proof of how much traffic they get before buying any advertising. This proof can come in many forms, but the most common is usually a screenshot or printout of some sort of analytical program showing daily unique visitors, return visitors, and etcetera. Once you have this information in hand, you'll be able to make a more educated decision on whether their advertising prices are fair or not.
Additionally, if possible, enquire about the average Click Through Rate for advertisements on their website. Click Through Rate, or CTR, tells you what percentage of visitors to the website generally click on an advertisement. A CTR over three percent is generally acceptable, but if it dips below two percent then you probably need to look elsewhere for website advertising.
Advertising on a website can be profitable and successful for your project or campaign, but make sure you take your time to do some homework before settling on the site that's right for you.
Both Jude Simons & Paul Turner are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.