Ambitious entrepreneurs, who want to boost their personal and professional image, cannot afford to ignore social networking. It is the best means of creating goodwill among your potential customers.
Building social capital requires a systematic approach. In order to build strong business relationships, you must understand how to handle this crucial aspect of business growth and continuity. From this perspective, you must gain a deeper knowledge of social networks, including a clear understanding of how they function.
This is necessary to be able to harness their inherent power and reach. Expert inputs can help you evolve an effective corporate social networking strategy.
Today’s tech-savvy corporations are keen to invest in social network technologies. Entrepreneurs who successfully employ networking typically look at it as a long-term commitment. They essentially perceive this as a relationship cultivation process.
The best strategy for employing social networks is not to treat them merely as a money making tool, but as a medium to build brand awareness. Here are some useful ideas to make it a meaningful exercise:
• Explore the key attributes of successful social networking sites.
• Decide which approach to take while creating your social network.
• Use social networks in your own organization for in house and customer-facing applications.
Last but not the least, consider incorporating innovative value-added features and services.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Critical design and content aspects that make your site foolproof
Before launching the site after a round of thorough test run, there are still a few critical checks to be done. We list them below:
1. Are the design, structure and navigation foolproof?
2. Are all images and pages uploaded properly on the hosting server?
3. Is there an index.html (or index.htm) in each and every folder?
4. Are all the pages correctly cross-linked?
5. Are any under construction pages left behind? Leave them for the next round of your website update. The ‘under construction’ label tells only one thing to the users: the site is not professional!
The checks should preferably be made from several different destinations and computers. They should be done not in local (c:///mysite) mode but on the Internet (http://www.mysite.com).
However, the whole exercise at times can prove to be extremely time-consuming and costly. This is why you should look for services that are willing to offer web site designs with the basic features and technology needed for improved placement on search engines and internet directories. The goal of a reliable website design and development company is essentially to provide truly affordable services to small and middle size businesses.
Of course, once your site is tested and made live, the critical task is to keep it dynamic. Regular visitors of a website will know it inside out almost as much as its webmaster. If the site is not regularly updated, and fails to provide fresh content, the visitors wouldn't have a reason to come back. They would slowly lose their interest.
1. Are the design, structure and navigation foolproof?
2. Are all images and pages uploaded properly on the hosting server?
3. Is there an index.html (or index.htm) in each and every folder?
4. Are all the pages correctly cross-linked?
5. Are any under construction pages left behind? Leave them for the next round of your website update. The ‘under construction’ label tells only one thing to the users: the site is not professional!
The checks should preferably be made from several different destinations and computers. They should be done not in local (c:///mysite) mode but on the Internet (http://www.mysite.com).
However, the whole exercise at times can prove to be extremely time-consuming and costly. This is why you should look for services that are willing to offer web site designs with the basic features and technology needed for improved placement on search engines and internet directories. The goal of a reliable website design and development company is essentially to provide truly affordable services to small and middle size businesses.
Of course, once your site is tested and made live, the critical task is to keep it dynamic. Regular visitors of a website will know it inside out almost as much as its webmaster. If the site is not regularly updated, and fails to provide fresh content, the visitors wouldn't have a reason to come back. They would slowly lose their interest.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Another step in the evolution of Google News and Wikipedia
Google News is now trying to experiment with Wikipedia links attaching them to certain stories. Essentially the idea is to give those entries the stamp of approval for online readers who are searching for more information on the article's subject.
It's up for debate as to whether that is a negative or positive thing for readers. Many who form part of the search community have been rather critical about the way that Wikipedia entries tend to often dominate the top search results. The open criticism may or may not be valid because the readers have become used to the resource and instinctively look for it.
Google's stance has been that the entries' content, carefully selected keywords and loyal repeat traffic are the ingredients that result in their high rankings. The reaction is quite similar to the response that it recently gave in the backdrop of media firms complaining about rankings.
Since Wikipedia entries are invariably crowd-sourced, and constantly changing, their nature raises the question of how accurate or precise the info they provide will be once a user clicks through. According to analysts, there is also the issue of whether users will click a Wikipedia link instead of reading the story. This will obviously mean less traffic for the original news source.
On the other hand, Nieman Journalism Lab writer Zachary Seward sees the links’ idea in a much more favorable light by arguing that it effectively serves as a small, albeit ‘potentially crucial’ step in the evolution of news presentation. This will make a single Web page thoroughly informative.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Be careful while reposing your trust in cloud computing
Among the most talked about and hyped IT concepts in the recent past is cloud computing. Also termed software as a service (Saas), cloud computing is all about running software over the Internet and accessing it via a browser. A prime example of this is the salesforce.com customer management software. So is Google Docs!
Cloud computing, in a way, is the modern version of the 1960s timesharing model that diminished owing to the rise of the personal computer. The old model arose since computers were very expensive and tough to maintain. Modern computers and networks are cheaper, and relatively easier to maintain.
Cloud computing may indeed stand for the future of computing, as many believe. However, you still need to be cautious about who is looking after your data. You need to be concerned about the security aspect? IT security is more about trust. In the end, users have no choice but to trust the security of the IT service providers they access. Saas looks to move the trust boundary out a step further – you now have to trust your software service vendors as well.
You can protect a computer within your network with other security systems like firewalls and IDSs. You can construct a resilient system, which works even if those vendors may not be absolutely trustworthy. On the other hand, with any outsourcing model, including cloud computing, you have to trust the outsourcer's security, reliability, availability, and business continuity.
There are two basic types of cloud computing customers. The first pays a nominal fee for the services – and makes use of them for free in exchange for ads: for example, Gmail and Facebook. They would have no leverage with their outsourcers. The second type of customer pays a considerable amount of money for the services: to MessageLabs, salesforce.com, managed network firms, and so on. They have more leverage.
So what is the advice to these customers? Bruce Schneier, BT's chief security technology officer, notes in an article: “Be careful who you trust, be careful what you trust them with, and be careful how much you trust them. Outsourcing is the future of computing. Eventually we'll get this right, but you don't want to be a casualty along the way.”
Cloud computing, in a way, is the modern version of the 1960s timesharing model that diminished owing to the rise of the personal computer. The old model arose since computers were very expensive and tough to maintain. Modern computers and networks are cheaper, and relatively easier to maintain.
Cloud computing may indeed stand for the future of computing, as many believe. However, you still need to be cautious about who is looking after your data. You need to be concerned about the security aspect? IT security is more about trust. In the end, users have no choice but to trust the security of the IT service providers they access. Saas looks to move the trust boundary out a step further – you now have to trust your software service vendors as well.
You can protect a computer within your network with other security systems like firewalls and IDSs. You can construct a resilient system, which works even if those vendors may not be absolutely trustworthy. On the other hand, with any outsourcing model, including cloud computing, you have to trust the outsourcer's security, reliability, availability, and business continuity.
There are two basic types of cloud computing customers. The first pays a nominal fee for the services – and makes use of them for free in exchange for ads: for example, Gmail and Facebook. They would have no leverage with their outsourcers. The second type of customer pays a considerable amount of money for the services: to MessageLabs, salesforce.com, managed network firms, and so on. They have more leverage.
So what is the advice to these customers? Bruce Schneier, BT's chief security technology officer, notes in an article: “Be careful who you trust, be careful what you trust them with, and be careful how much you trust them. Outsourcing is the future of computing. Eventually we'll get this right, but you don't want to be a casualty along the way.”
Friday, June 19, 2009
Some valuable inputs on corporate social networking
Ambitious entrepreneurs, who want to boost their personal and professional image, cannot afford to ignore social networking. It is the best means of creating goodwill among your potential customers.
Building social capital requires a systematic approach. In order to build strong business relationships, you must understand how to handle this crucial aspect of business growth and continuity. From this perspective, you must gain a deeper knowledge of social networks, including a clear understanding of how they function. This is necessary to be able to harness their inherent power and reach. Expert inputs can help you evolve an effective corporate social networking strategy.
Today’s tech-savvy corporations are keen to invest in social network technologies. Entrepreneurs who successfully employ networking typically look at it as a long-term commitment. They essentially perceive this as a relationship cultivation process. The best strategy for employing social networks is not to treat them merely as a money making tool, but as a medium to build brand awareness. Here are some useful ideas to make it a meaningful exercise
• Explore the key attributes of successful social networking sites.
• Decide which approach to take while creating your social network.
• Use social networks in your own organization for in house and customer-facing applications. Consider incorporating innovative value-added features and services.
Building social capital requires a systematic approach. In order to build strong business relationships, you must understand how to handle this crucial aspect of business growth and continuity. From this perspective, you must gain a deeper knowledge of social networks, including a clear understanding of how they function. This is necessary to be able to harness their inherent power and reach. Expert inputs can help you evolve an effective corporate social networking strategy.
Today’s tech-savvy corporations are keen to invest in social network technologies. Entrepreneurs who successfully employ networking typically look at it as a long-term commitment. They essentially perceive this as a relationship cultivation process. The best strategy for employing social networks is not to treat them merely as a money making tool, but as a medium to build brand awareness. Here are some useful ideas to make it a meaningful exercise
• Explore the key attributes of successful social networking sites.
• Decide which approach to take while creating your social network.
• Use social networks in your own organization for in house and customer-facing applications. Consider incorporating innovative value-added features and services.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
‘Twitter-exclusive’ @DellOutlet has gained quite a significant following
@DellOutlet has been one of the major success stories amongst big brands using social media. It’s a Twitter account owned by Dell, which tweets out major discounts for their computers and allied products. All of the deals available on @DellOutlet are ‘Twitter-exclusive’.
@DellOutlet has gained quite a significant following and has acted as an effective online outlet that sold a lot of computers. The progress made in terms of volumes and sales figures has been truly impressive. And @DellOutlet continues its rapid rise.
@DellOutlet was started in June 2007. The concept was initiated by Dell’s Richard Binhammer. Making a rather modest beginning, it soon started catching fancy of buyers. The idea fast spread among customers who got hooked to it.
The ‘Twitter-exclusive’ project created immense buzz, resulting retweets, and a rapid rise in followers. Enthused by the success of @DellOutlet, the company has since chosen to embrace social media on multiple accounts. As one of the top brands to successfully employ Twitter as a business platform, Dell clearly has been a trendsetter for other brand building exercises like @Zappos and @JetBlue on Twitter.
@DellOutlet is a proof of the fact that platforms like Twitter can indeed be lucrative for companies – big and small - looking to leverage the reach and power of the Internet. It’s a win-win scenario for both the companies (that can indulge in brand building and earn significant revenues) as well as the consumers (who can get a great deal online).
@DellOutlet has gained quite a significant following and has acted as an effective online outlet that sold a lot of computers. The progress made in terms of volumes and sales figures has been truly impressive. And @DellOutlet continues its rapid rise.
@DellOutlet was started in June 2007. The concept was initiated by Dell’s Richard Binhammer. Making a rather modest beginning, it soon started catching fancy of buyers. The idea fast spread among customers who got hooked to it.
The ‘Twitter-exclusive’ project created immense buzz, resulting retweets, and a rapid rise in followers. Enthused by the success of @DellOutlet, the company has since chosen to embrace social media on multiple accounts. As one of the top brands to successfully employ Twitter as a business platform, Dell clearly has been a trendsetter for other brand building exercises like @Zappos and @JetBlue on Twitter.
@DellOutlet is a proof of the fact that platforms like Twitter can indeed be lucrative for companies – big and small - looking to leverage the reach and power of the Internet. It’s a win-win scenario for both the companies (that can indulge in brand building and earn significant revenues) as well as the consumers (who can get a great deal online).
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Android operating system will contribute to the netbook sales, feels Acer
Acer plans to incorporate Android in the Aspire One. This will give Acer a significant marketing edge, whereas users will get more choice in the form of Google's mobile phone operating system on their netbooks apart from Microsoft's operating system. They may select their preferred option of operating system.
Acer feels that the Android operating system will significantly contribute to the worldwide netbook market growth. At the recent Computex trade show in Taiwan, the company stated it planned to ship most versions of its new Aspire One netbook with a version of Linux-based Android operating system, employed on mobile phones like the G-1. Shipping both Android and Windows on a majority of Aspire One netbooks will cut down the cost of having separate stock-keeping units for Windows and Linux.
"The Android operating system will allow Acer netbook users faster Internet connectivity, enhancing efficiency on-the-go," claimed the company. It remains to be seen how many users of Aspire One actually employ Android because, in Q3, the company will presumably begin shipping netbooks running Windows 7.
Presumably, even the Starter version (that no longer has the potential limit of only being able to run 3 apps at once) looks markedly better than Android. But it still might give Acer a selling point against other rival netbooks that don't incorporate something similar.
Android is open source so suppliers can customize it. One of the main reasons Linux failed on netbooks was that the top suppliers offered their own versions instead of opting to unite behind a common platform. It now remains to be seen whether the netbook market will have different versions of Android.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Smart mini-search engines are trying to carve out a new niche
Many smart, albeit ‘small-scale’ search engines are trying to carve out a new niche for themselves. Realizing that it is futile to take on Google and other top search engines, entities like Kosmix and Powerset are treading off-beat paths.
Kosmix smartly combines results thrown by other search engines. Its computers in response to a topic search create a page full of information automatically pulled from websites like YouTube and Wikipedia, as well as blogs, Twitter feeds and more sources.
According to Kosmix’s co-founder Venky Harinarayan, their computers comb through over 10,000 websites and applications. For instance, if you want to research a trip to Hawaii, it can find you various opinions and ideas from Twitter, a guide on Mahalo and also the latest images from Flickr, all of which is then displayed on one page ordered by relevance and importance.
These are all new mini-search engines that still form a very tiny part of the global search market. They are estimated to draw less than mere 2% of total search traffic worldwide. However, their relevance is underlined by a recent report from Web traffic monitor Hitwise. According to their estimates, these mini-search engines are growing rapidly. Kosmix has witnessed its market-share increase by 730% year-over-year, whereas traffic is almost double on Microsoft owned Powerset from that of a year ago.
Kosmix smartly combines results thrown by other search engines. Its computers in response to a topic search create a page full of information automatically pulled from websites like YouTube and Wikipedia, as well as blogs, Twitter feeds and more sources.
According to Kosmix’s co-founder Venky Harinarayan, their computers comb through over 10,000 websites and applications. For instance, if you want to research a trip to Hawaii, it can find you various opinions and ideas from Twitter, a guide on Mahalo and also the latest images from Flickr, all of which is then displayed on one page ordered by relevance and importance.
These are all new mini-search engines that still form a very tiny part of the global search market. They are estimated to draw less than mere 2% of total search traffic worldwide. However, their relevance is underlined by a recent report from Web traffic monitor Hitwise. According to their estimates, these mini-search engines are growing rapidly. Kosmix has witnessed its market-share increase by 730% year-over-year, whereas traffic is almost double on Microsoft owned Powerset from that of a year ago.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Your website acts as a platform to serve the vast customer base worldwide
If you are looking for a comprehensive website package that provides a clear, simple and user-friendly structure, you have arrived at the right resource.
The services offered by Webidiotz meet and surpass each client’s expectations. Appreciating the contribution made by Neil Patel to the website for www.amandamydesigns.com, Mandy Yakubovich mentions: “He carefully listened to my ideas and didn't hesitate to point out when something I wanted wouldn't work out for the best. He offered expert advice and a new way of doing things.”
Describing Webidiotz as an innovative company, which places great emphasis on complete customer satisfaction, Mandy Yakubovich adds, “I am thrilled with my website. When a friend commented that it really showed my passion for my work, I realized that Webidiotz had helped me capture the true essence of what I do!
Mandy Yakubovich has been drawing and painting since ‘I was old enough to hold a pencil or a paintbrush’, as the artist puts it: “Even as a small child I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. And I have never deviated from that path. I feel so fortunate to be living my dream.” In between school carpools, swimming lessons and dance classes, the avid artist has managed to take on some fascinating art projects. The work forms part of many prestigious private collections throughout Canada and the US.
“I believe that we can find art in almost everything from the simplest objects of day-today life to the elaborate works hung on gallery walls,” the artist quips. Webidiotz has tried to ensure that the website www.amandamydesigns.com reflects the artist’s style and philosophy. It acts as the artist’s window to the vast art community online, and showcases the select works. You can either pick something you like or the artist will be happy to create a custom piece for you.
As with www.amandamydesigns.com, Webidiotz promises to provide a result-oriented site that plays a major role in acquainting your potential customers with the brand/ business/ service offerings from you. It increases your sales and vastly enhances your brand reach.
The services offered by Webidiotz meet and surpass each client’s expectations. Appreciating the contribution made by Neil Patel to the website for www.amandamydesigns.com, Mandy Yakubovich mentions: “He carefully listened to my ideas and didn't hesitate to point out when something I wanted wouldn't work out for the best. He offered expert advice and a new way of doing things.”
Describing Webidiotz as an innovative company, which places great emphasis on complete customer satisfaction, Mandy Yakubovich adds, “I am thrilled with my website. When a friend commented that it really showed my passion for my work, I realized that Webidiotz had helped me capture the true essence of what I do!Mandy Yakubovich has been drawing and painting since ‘I was old enough to hold a pencil or a paintbrush’, as the artist puts it: “Even as a small child I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. And I have never deviated from that path. I feel so fortunate to be living my dream.” In between school carpools, swimming lessons and dance classes, the avid artist has managed to take on some fascinating art projects. The work forms part of many prestigious private collections throughout Canada and the US.
“I believe that we can find art in almost everything from the simplest objects of day-today life to the elaborate works hung on gallery walls,” the artist quips. Webidiotz has tried to ensure that the website www.amandamydesigns.com reflects the artist’s style and philosophy. It acts as the artist’s window to the vast art community online, and showcases the select works. You can either pick something you like or the artist will be happy to create a custom piece for you.
As with www.amandamydesigns.com, Webidiotz promises to provide a result-oriented site that plays a major role in acquainting your potential customers with the brand/ business/ service offerings from you. It increases your sales and vastly enhances your brand reach.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Breaking the Google hold is easier said than done, its competitors discover!
The major issue with the highly competitive search engine business is that its future may almost have nothing to do with increased accuracy of search results. Google's information is more than adequate for the majority of people who look to find information online.
Currently, search seems to be facing the same peculiar problem as the chip business. Intel and AMD make so powerful semiconductors that very few PC buyers can employ all of their available computational power. A lot of what these chips can actually do is wasted. And upgrading to a more power-packed processor does not really mean much to users who fail to grasp the difference.
Under the circumstances, building a new search engine is a risk since it's expensive to build and market one. It is not easy to make it stand and survive in the mass market. To make the proposition even tougher, not only do users prefer Google to other options, but also most of them are not able to tell whether a new search product is markedly better.
Aside from the top search engines that comprise Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft, there are several smaller companies jostling for users' attention. Microsoft claims that if its search engine fetches more relevant results than Yahoo! or Google, people will ultimately turn to the ‘best’ product. However, Google has become a habit for over two-thirds of the people who make use of search engines in the US. And breaking the Google hold is easier said than done!
Friday, June 12, 2009
YouTube XL offers a more enhanced user experience
YouTube has launched its newest service as part of a concerted strategy to move its content from the screen into the living room, the social heartland of its users. The new feature, YouTube XL, was launched after introduction of Hulu Desktop just a few days ago.
Soon users may be clicking the remote from their most comfortable chair in order to see YouTube videos on high resolution TV screen.
YouTube XL is a major enhancement to the YouTube for TV beta, an earlier launch, Google released in January. Product manager of YouTube XL, Kuan Yong, was quoted as saying that nothing about YouTube itself has really changed—except for the framework, which holds all that video content.
So users will think of YouTube, but with a vastly different UI, or user experience. All you need to do is just visit YouTube.com/XL, and you are set to enjoy the experience. It's all in the browser. There is no need for any software or plug-in to be downloaded and installed. You are just required to log in to YouTube from any browser and use the XL feature that enlarges the video image to match the size of the screen, which you are using.
YouTube's XL dedicated development team has worked hard to ensure it runs smoothly on most devices – over 140 of them at last count, Yong informed to add: "It looks really good, particularly in full-screen mode."
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The latest version of OpenX 2.8 is doing reasonably well
Formerly known by a succession of different names, including Openads, OpenX has developed its ad server essentially through the open-source developer community over a time span of nine years. It has raised almost $20.5 million in two rounds of funding thus far.
The company stated it had witnessed rapid growth in spite of the sudden slowdown experienced in online advertising market largely owing to the ongoing recession. The latest version of OpenX 2.8, its free ad serving software, has already attracted over 3,000 active users and also a monthly run rate of over 10 billion impressions in just six weeks since its launch. But with close to 300 billion impressions running through OpenX software, it clearly has room to expand further and become profitable
OpenX stated it would be using the additional funds for the purpose of expanding its suite of technology products and services and accelerating the growth of its recently launched OpenX Market. Some of the features of OpenX's new platform include ability to staging real-time auctions for online ad spots and allowing publishers to get the benefits of higher bids until the very last second.
The company’s community of over 38,000 publishers powers well over 150,000 sites. OpenX products are used in over 100 countries. They have been translated into different languages by community contributors.
OpenX’s main rival is Google's DoubleClick ad server. Google took over the company for roughly $3.1 billion two years ago, as part of a multi-billion-dollar wave of ad-server firm acquisitions, which included Microsoft and AOL purchasing aQuantive and Adtech, respectively. OpenX is demonstrating that combining a widely adopted open-source product with a unique business model can provide the basis for a company of significant scale.
The company stated it had witnessed rapid growth in spite of the sudden slowdown experienced in online advertising market largely owing to the ongoing recession. The latest version of OpenX 2.8, its free ad serving software, has already attracted over 3,000 active users and also a monthly run rate of over 10 billion impressions in just six weeks since its launch. But with close to 300 billion impressions running through OpenX software, it clearly has room to expand further and become profitable
OpenX stated it would be using the additional funds for the purpose of expanding its suite of technology products and services and accelerating the growth of its recently launched OpenX Market. Some of the features of OpenX's new platform include ability to staging real-time auctions for online ad spots and allowing publishers to get the benefits of higher bids until the very last second.
The company’s community of over 38,000 publishers powers well over 150,000 sites. OpenX products are used in over 100 countries. They have been translated into different languages by community contributors.
OpenX’s main rival is Google's DoubleClick ad server. Google took over the company for roughly $3.1 billion two years ago, as part of a multi-billion-dollar wave of ad-server firm acquisitions, which included Microsoft and AOL purchasing aQuantive and Adtech, respectively. OpenX is demonstrating that combining a widely adopted open-source product with a unique business model can provide the basis for a company of significant scale.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Xerox is taking the route of video marketing for brand awareness
Xerox is making an effort to spread awareness about its product range with new media, interactive platforms.
What they are trying to do is get a user interested in some of their new launches competing for office space. This includes products such as their Extensible Interface Platform, a software platform upon which developers can utilize standard web-based tools for creating server-based applications. These applications can well be configured for the multi-function printer (MFP) touch-screen user interface. Xerox MFP has all sorts of functionalities built into it to let you perform the tasks like being able to store important documents or send them somewhere automatically.
Xerox's services expertise and diversity is unmatched. It includes helping new-age businesses establish online document archives, analyzing how employees can share documents and knowledge efficiently, , and building Web-based processes to personalize direct mail, brochures, invoices and more.
The company is employing platforms like YouTube to let people know about its new product launches. It is cleverly using viral videos to build brand awareness. What it goes to show that online video marketing is emerging as a viable solution and a cost-effective approach to unveil creative marketing campaigns, which probably won’t work in other formats like TV and radio. Media experts are curious to see how the campaign doe in terms of traffic numbers or sales numbers.
What they are trying to do is get a user interested in some of their new launches competing for office space. This includes products such as their Extensible Interface Platform, a software platform upon which developers can utilize standard web-based tools for creating server-based applications. These applications can well be configured for the multi-function printer (MFP) touch-screen user interface. Xerox MFP has all sorts of functionalities built into it to let you perform the tasks like being able to store important documents or send them somewhere automatically.
Xerox's services expertise and diversity is unmatched. It includes helping new-age businesses establish online document archives, analyzing how employees can share documents and knowledge efficiently, , and building Web-based processes to personalize direct mail, brochures, invoices and more.
The company is employing platforms like YouTube to let people know about its new product launches. It is cleverly using viral videos to build brand awareness. What it goes to show that online video marketing is emerging as a viable solution and a cost-effective approach to unveil creative marketing campaigns, which probably won’t work in other formats like TV and radio. Media experts are curious to see how the campaign doe in terms of traffic numbers or sales numbers.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Will Microsoft’s Bing be able to beat Google?
Microsoft claims that its new search engine Bing offers users a far more refined search experience than any rival search engine. It is quite capable of answering queries more quickly and more efficiently, the company asserts.
The service currently has a strong American tilt, with a UK version ‘soft-launching’ taking place as a Beta test version. A London-based team is working towards improving the localization of specific search results for the UK. A full launch should happen in around six months. Microsoft's UK Consumer Vice President, Ashley Highfield, is in charge of the UK project.
"There’s a huge opportunity existing in the search market," he quipped, "given that it is dominated by one player, and also that research shows a rather high level of dissatisfaction evident among a high level of the user base.” He claims that just around a quarter of people actually get what they are really looking for on the first search. The success of Bing will depend on how many of them decide to do away with the Google habit – something Microsoft is well aware of: its US launch is going to be accompanied by a big-bang $100m advertising campaign.
Google is the brand very much in their sights. The world's leading search engine had net income of $4.34bn in the last financial year, on revenue of $22.12bn. This was largely from paid ads associated with search keywords. The challenge that Microsoft faces is to making a demonstrably superior search engine that breaks users' Google habit.
"We’ve what we think are a series of ‘Google-beating’ features," Mr Highfield asserts. "The world has moved on, but search absolutely hasn’t. Google is essentially the same as it was a decade ago." The key features in Microsoft's new search engine include its ability to ‘guess’ what the respective user is looking for, and then give suggestions based on that guess.
The service currently has a strong American tilt, with a UK version ‘soft-launching’ taking place as a Beta test version. A London-based team is working towards improving the localization of specific search results for the UK. A full launch should happen in around six months. Microsoft's UK Consumer Vice President, Ashley Highfield, is in charge of the UK project.
"There’s a huge opportunity existing in the search market," he quipped, "given that it is dominated by one player, and also that research shows a rather high level of dissatisfaction evident among a high level of the user base.” He claims that just around a quarter of people actually get what they are really looking for on the first search. The success of Bing will depend on how many of them decide to do away with the Google habit – something Microsoft is well aware of: its US launch is going to be accompanied by a big-bang $100m advertising campaign.
Google is the brand very much in their sights. The world's leading search engine had net income of $4.34bn in the last financial year, on revenue of $22.12bn. This was largely from paid ads associated with search keywords. The challenge that Microsoft faces is to making a demonstrably superior search engine that breaks users' Google habit.
"We’ve what we think are a series of ‘Google-beating’ features," Mr Highfield asserts. "The world has moved on, but search absolutely hasn’t. Google is essentially the same as it was a decade ago." The key features in Microsoft's new search engine include its ability to ‘guess’ what the respective user is looking for, and then give suggestions based on that guess.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Employ social media to create quality inbound links relevant to search engines
A great online marketing opportunity is available in form of social media, which definitely needs to be tapped. In fact, many online businesses are now looking to use it to promote their products and services in a cost-effective way.
One of the biggest benefits of including social media in your traditional marketing mix is the generation of high-value, on-target inbound links, which can greatly help improve visibility in the leading search engines. This will improve the search engine rankings of your online business.
Of course, the key lies in effective and optimum use of social media to boost your search engine results. This needs advice and guidance of experts who exactly know how to leverage the reach and power of social media.
Remember, apart from the sheer number of inbound links created through social marketing, their value is equally critical from the search engines’ perspective. To be valued by them, inbound links must originate from relevant and quality web sites. In this context, it is pertinent to note that search engines attach great value to social sites like Twitter and Facebook.
They are highly visible to top search engines, and are taking updates from users on a constant basis. Links tend to be shared depending on subject matter, which means the search engines would consider them relevant and on-target.
One of the biggest benefits of including social media in your traditional marketing mix is the generation of high-value, on-target inbound links, which can greatly help improve visibility in the leading search engines. This will improve the search engine rankings of your online business.
Of course, the key lies in effective and optimum use of social media to boost your search engine results. This needs advice and guidance of experts who exactly know how to leverage the reach and power of social media.
Remember, apart from the sheer number of inbound links created through social marketing, their value is equally critical from the search engines’ perspective. To be valued by them, inbound links must originate from relevant and quality web sites. In this context, it is pertinent to note that search engines attach great value to social sites like Twitter and Facebook.
They are highly visible to top search engines, and are taking updates from users on a constant basis. Links tend to be shared depending on subject matter, which means the search engines would consider them relevant and on-target.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
How does natural link building create visibility and build online presence?
Creating visibility and building online presence for your business venture and your budding brand is really important. You invariably need to be focusing on online visibility and branding while employing social media for the purpose of building links.
When other users see your links or read your content, they share that piece of information with their own individual network of contacts. This is how the power and reach of social media is realized. Just adding a bunch of links to your social profiles, however, is not going to be enough. You need to possess a strong track record that users trust and thus feel comfortable while sharing your content with other users within their network.
Brand recognition will typically lead to natural link building anyway. This means your inbound links will primarily end up coming from customers, bloggers, colleagues, and other people online who are exposed to your links and think them useful enough so as to share with their own network of contacts.
To be successful, an e-commerce site should be able to reach its potential customers, communicate with them, keep customer mindshare, and find new leads. An ability to instantly strike a chord with customers holds key to success of the Internet marketing.
When other users see your links or read your content, they share that piece of information with their own individual network of contacts. This is how the power and reach of social media is realized. Just adding a bunch of links to your social profiles, however, is not going to be enough. You need to possess a strong track record that users trust and thus feel comfortable while sharing your content with other users within their network.
Brand recognition will typically lead to natural link building anyway. This means your inbound links will primarily end up coming from customers, bloggers, colleagues, and other people online who are exposed to your links and think them useful enough so as to share with their own network of contacts.
To be successful, an e-commerce site should be able to reach its potential customers, communicate with them, keep customer mindshare, and find new leads. An ability to instantly strike a chord with customers holds key to success of the Internet marketing.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A fine blend of social media and SEO strategies boosts your brand
Experience shows that specialized websites are most likely to benefit from sustained online promotion. If you think that having a functional website up and running is the end of the matter, you are wrong. The site and business itself still need to carve out an identity.
The e-commerce website needs to assert itself and stand out from the clutter around. It should be able to convey your competitive advantage. This is easier said than done! New developments continue to take place in the dynamic domain of search engine, which smaller businesses cannot easily track and grasp. Top search engines often change their algorithms so as to improve search results for users. This can make it even more challenging for online ecommerce entities to be able to keep pace with the new search engine marketing norms.
Often, the desire is there, but expertise and direction is lacking. For example, though many firms plan viral marketing campaigns, not all manage to execute them successfully. Only the truly creative, the truly captivating and the truly entertaining ones are able to make a mark and get noticed amidst incessant clutter of the Internet.
By properly leveraging a deft balance of social media and SEO strategies, smart marketers are able to gain competitive edge through meaningful customer engagements and social interactions within the vast online marketplace.
The e-commerce website needs to assert itself and stand out from the clutter around. It should be able to convey your competitive advantage. This is easier said than done! New developments continue to take place in the dynamic domain of search engine, which smaller businesses cannot easily track and grasp. Top search engines often change their algorithms so as to improve search results for users. This can make it even more challenging for online ecommerce entities to be able to keep pace with the new search engine marketing norms.
Often, the desire is there, but expertise and direction is lacking. For example, though many firms plan viral marketing campaigns, not all manage to execute them successfully. Only the truly creative, the truly captivating and the truly entertaining ones are able to make a mark and get noticed amidst incessant clutter of the Internet.
By properly leveraging a deft balance of social media and SEO strategies, smart marketers are able to gain competitive edge through meaningful customer engagements and social interactions within the vast online marketplace.
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