As mobile technology continues to heat up the lines are blurred where the traditional use of a PC or Laptop are being replaced by the use of mobile and smart phone technology. Google continues to see the wave of the future as one where mobile devices continue embrace a more central role. Recently we’ve posted videos of Google’s VP of engineering demonstrates the benefits of Google Voice recoginition software on mobile devices for the developer community. In this posting we refer to Google’s Official Mobile Search Blog to outline the user benefits of mobile search technology. http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/01/optimized-search-suggestions-using-your.html?utm_source=tcm&utm_medium=ttl&utm_campaign=gmb
You’ll notice in some of the user comments that in some countries this type of search technology is already available.
The Mobile Web really is the future of Web Development and Applications. Here is a nice demonstration of Google’s voice search technology. Here in this video my friend Google’s VP of Enginneering Vic Gundotra boldly demonstrates Google voice search at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
This video of Vic Gundotra is important to me because Vic’s helpful direction and kind suggestions to me personally has greatly influenced much of the technology we employ here at Apples 2 Apples web development.
Yesterday Google unveiled its new commerce search feature for its users. I think it is important to note that this is a growing trend. Google is essentially taking a page from smaller more vertical search engines that provide more category centric search results, in order to increase its relevancy online.
How does Google Commerce Search work?
Essentially Google is experimenting with ways to organize its content. There is real benefit to more vertical search and Google understands it. You see by organizing the web into broad but search focused categories such Commerce Google is enabling its users to find more of what is relevant to them on the web. Moving forward this also enables Google to filter search engine results pages in a much more meaningful way.
Take for example a search feature that was organized around News, now users could filter their interests even further to filter National, International, and Economic News. There’s a huge cost benefit to Google in terms providing even more relevant ad placements. The more relevant Googles content becomes the more Ad Agencies and Businesses alike will be willing to invest in Google Search Products. Essentially because the demographics for those audiences has become much more meaningful. In many ways this is a lessons learned from their interest in national online news publications which sell their ad space based upon content space within their online news publications.
The best way to see how you can benefit from Google Commerce Search is to view their Official product demonstration in this Video.
You might be thinking that a web designer or a developer like myself would be a little biased in writing a commentary such as this, actually though I am about to explain the importance of proper visual display.
Your website tells your story!
As human beings we have many things in common the Arts we enjoy such paintings, music, and theater all of these differents forms of entertainment are designed to appeal to the senses. Web Design is no different. When we design websites we are designing a visual display. What we are essentially creating is a form of media to engage the senses of our audience. We are in effect telling a story, the story of your business, your interests, your social circle you might say. The story is about you! So the question becomes how best to tell that story visually? What elements are important? Like any good book it should have a theme, basically what is this site about? Next every good book has main character the heroin you might say. This person is you or your business or your interests. Next like any good social media site will tell you we need some drama. This is effectively the story or premise of your site and so on… Do you see my point?
Effective web design is a memorable experience
Most web templates do no such thing…Theres no subject, theme, character or drama suited for your business story or interest. They are designed to appeal to widest possible uses. Like an encyclopedia, not a great novel. Certainly not a memorable website.
Your website has a purpose dont diminish it.
Are you considering having a website built? Before determining your budget determine what you are hoping to accomplish with your visual display, your website. I’ve heard many clients come to me and say well we just want to get a page up. Please the best thing to do is save your money in this instance. If you have a business, product or service you are trying to sell do you really just want to put a page online? There are now trillions of web pages on the internet. Chances are if you just put up a web page it wont be very easy to find. More importantly it isnt likely to tell your story like a great novel.
Web templates wont employ effective design principals
Theres is one more important point to consider, visually we as poeple see in patterns, we read in patterns, eye our is designed to follow certain lines and shapes. Placing certain elements within these patterns is what creates an effective web site or web presentation.
Would you like to know how we visualize shapes, colors, and fonts? Would you like help in putting together a beautiful and compelling web design? Call Apples 2 Apples today! (970) 901-0062 or visit us online at www.apples2apples.us.com
Today, I will share a few ways you can consider if you are interested in improving the search quality of your web site.
Yahoo, Google, and meta descriptions
First of all its important that the overall quality of your web pages is given consideration right from the start. Are your sites Title Tags, Meta description and Keywords optimized? I know someone might already be thinking “Yahoo is the only search engine currently using meta description”, that seems to be true, however, its very important to provide an accurate description of all pages to any potential search engine.
Title tags are for search results
Title tags always seem to be the most poorly optimized feature of a web page, oddly enough its the one feature that carries the most importance. You see title tags tell search engines what that page is about. Also and this is key: the title tag is the main line that appears in the search engine results page, its also the term the search engine uses to identify if a user is interested in that page. So the best way to right title tags is to think for a moment how would someone else search for this information contained in my page? What phrases would they use. Then you will know best how to optimize your title tags.
Keywords and Phrases
Lastly keywords need to contain three types of terms in order to generate high quality search traffic to your site, long tail search terms, short tail search terms, and key phrases.
Would you like more help improving your sites search engine visibilty? Contact Apples 2 Apples today! (970) 901-0062
Surfing the web over the weekend it occured to me that often times when considering the purchase of a website or redesign businesses often overlook the fact that websites are an extension of their businesses online. It is good to consider the web in terms of the new frontier. In some respects still uncharted new territory. However with increasing user participation on the world wide web businesses need to consider taking advantage of the opportunity to increase not only business in terms of sales online, but also their presence online, in other words visibility. The web is often referred to as the information super highway. However, if you knew that your billboard online would potentially be viewed by billions of consumers online, would you hide it? Or perhaps, diminsh its potentail value by not promoting its full potential?
Today I’d like to share a few important areas to be considered when taking your
business online
. First, is to look at your website as your business card online, it should say who you are , what you do, and how to reach you right up front. Second, the design elements should be consistent with your product, image and values. Lets take products for example, lets suppose for a moment that your business is fine steak house restaurant. Of course you want everyone to know that the quality of your steak house is bar none. How would you present that idea? Wouldn’t the best way to do so be a mouth watering display of the finest steaks you offer be most appealing. I use this example because i’ve heard it said some would put the picture of a live cow on their site. The point is display your finished product in the best enviroment possible.
Second is this,
building your business online
is the same as having a brick and mortar store. You need a good location, you need to advertise and you need to be accessible to your clients during the most meaningful part of the day. Your location online can be likened to choosing an appropriate URL or domain name. Advertising is just what your thinking it needs to shout hey everyone here I am. However, thats much more difficult than you might imagine. You’ll need a combination of platforms, you should be in every directory you can find (caution here a few at a time, its an ongoing process), you should be found on adwords type campaigns ( that are optimized for traffic at realitively low cost, too many businesses over spend with little or no results) and third there are many trade sites that can provide free or low cost ads to attract targeted buyers for your business.
Most of all remember that building a business online takes time and you will get out of it what you put into it. Take a realistic approach, don’t skimp on your website, and advertise, advertise, advertise.
Do you need help taking your business online? Do have an existing website needing fresh redesign? Are you looking for a company to provide you expertise in a search marketing campaign. Give Apples 2 Apples a call today! (970) 901-0062 We love to talk and a free consultation won’t cost you a thing!
Have your search standings on Google, Yahoo and MSN checked and receive a free report.
High rankings are the key to top organic search engine traffic. Check your website ranking on important keywords. It’s simple, fast and free.
Free Competition Analysis
The best way to improve your search rank is to know what search engine optimization is working for your competition. Contact us for a free competitor analysis and get the inside scoop on your competition’s SEO.
Keyword Density Analysis
Top search engine rankings are driven by strong keyword usage on your web pages. A Free keyword density analysis shows you what the most used keywords are on your web pages.
Would you like assistance optimizing your websites search engine results? At Apples 2 Apples we provide a free analysis of important search engine criteria. Need more assistance get the most from Google, Yahoo and MSN. We can help!
As a web developer and designer i’m often approached by persons interested in establishing an online presence either for personal or business reasons. Inevitably what our discussions will come down to is how they want their site to be found online and what the best approach to accomplish that might be.
Search, Elegance, Web tools and features
Its interesting to me how often whats not considered is. Whats most important when putting together a website. Is it search optimization? Elegant Design? Tools and features?
Design Elements that come into play
To be sure many elements come into play when designing a website. Just like the architect that draws a home initially on paper who considers many factors such as topograghy, surrounding enviroment, curb appeal, building standards, and whats acceptable within the community. Now to be sure great designers and for that matter architects are ones who push the envelope so to speak. One thing occurs to me though and maybe you’ve noticed it too, genius is making something extraordinarily simple attractive or most appealing. In my opinion thats the direction of the world wide web is heading toward. Here’s what I mean, the biggest obstacle for greater participation upon the web is usability. Or simply put making web sites and tools more accessible to the general public. Having worked in this industry now for whats seems to be going on ten years or so. I’ve encountered many occassions when websites were put together by developers and not designers for user interaction. Dont get me wrong developing proper tools and features is essential to web design as is a proper foundation to a beautiful home. The point is that we dont buy a home because the contractor did extra work on the foundation. We purchase a site because it is attractive and appealing to our audience. It makes a statement about us and our business. Would you like to know more?
Recent Comments
Derosa:
... Skoro eto sluchitsya ...
Read Moreadmin:
Which Image?
Read More