Last week I turned my personal laptop computer on one morning. After 20 minutes of watching the screen with the spinning circle and the word "welcome" next to it I knew I had a problem. My mind started racing. Does my computer have a virus, is my Windows 7 operating system on the fritz, or do I have a hardware problem?
The computer was only 17 months old. Of course, like most Americans, I did not purchase an extended maintenance or warranty agreement when the computer was purchased.
Now here comes my public confession. Just one week before the computer mishap I bought a flash drive and backed up my files and photos. Prior to purchasing the flash drive, for 17 months, I had not performed even one backup of the information on my computer. I knew better. I just didn't do it.
A business associate at Site Smart had a friend who was able to help me out. After his inspection and testing he determined that my hard drive had failed. Thanks to his expertise and a little bit of luck he installed a new hard drive and was able to retrieve all of my data from the old failed hard drive.
All is well that ends well, right? Yes, but it also deserves some careful reflection on my part. For instance, even if I had purchased a warranty would the manufacturer been able to retrieve my data from the old hard drive? What if my business associate's friend could not have retrieved all the data and I did not have that data on a flash drive? The thought of a computer with a new hard drive but none of my data on it was not a solution.
The fact that I had just recently bought a flash drive and backed up my data was pure luck. The flash drive had a price of $ 14.00. My documents, music and photos are priceless to me.
We all seem to forget or ignore one important job to be performed regularly on our computers. Backing up our data, including files like office documents, our photos, music and videos must unconsciously seem like such a chore. If not a chore, maybe we are just not sure of how to perform a backup. Things can go wrong. Computers get viruses, hard drives fail, or an errant cup of coffee causes damage.
Smart phones should have backup too.
Check to see what type of backup program you have and whether you have to manually backup or it is automatic. Also make sure the backup device is separate from the computer. For personal use computers a flash drive works for me.
My next blog will discuss some of the devices you can choose to back up your own data.
Bob B.
Internet Marketing Consultant
Site Smart Marketing
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2012 Sales Stats Are In!
According to IBM, as part of their Smarter Commerce initiative-Digital Analytics Benchmark, "shoppers once again took full advantage of early promotions this holiday season". Online consumer spending increased by 17.4% on Thanksgiving and 20.7% on Black Friday over the prior year.
Purchases made using a mobile device increased with 24% of consumers using a mobile device to visit a retailer's website, compared to 14.3% in 2011.
Here's a interesting statistic. Some very savvy consumers shopped in store,online and on mobile devices all at the same time to search for the best bargains.
It is clear, the increased use of mobile devices to shop and purchase is here to stay, for Black Friday or any day we are looking for products or services to buy. Mobile use is becoming mainstream for e-commerce shopping.
Mobile technology and the incredible growth of demand is revolutionizing the way we shop. This growth offers a very real opportunity for retailers to market their products and services from eCommerce as well as generate more in-store traffic by increasing their online presence. For the consumer mobile use shopping is convenient and efficient to determine product availability, price comparisons and ease of purchase.
Purchases made using a mobile device increased with 24% of consumers using a mobile device to visit a retailer's website, compared to 14.3% in 2011.
Here's a interesting statistic. Some very savvy consumers shopped in store,online and on mobile devices all at the same time to search for the best bargains.
It is clear, the increased use of mobile devices to shop and purchase is here to stay, for Black Friday or any day we are looking for products or services to buy. Mobile use is becoming mainstream for e-commerce shopping.
Mobile technology and the incredible growth of demand is revolutionizing the way we shop. This growth offers a very real opportunity for retailers to market their products and services from eCommerce as well as generate more in-store traffic by increasing their online presence. For the consumer mobile use shopping is convenient and efficient to determine product availability, price comparisons and ease of purchase.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Show Customers Offers On Their Mobile Maps
Google has just launched a feature applicable to the Google Plus Local Maps you may have for your business. Now, on a trial basis through 12/31/2012, you can show customers your offers on their mobile maps.
If they are looking for a restaurant and hover over your map location and tap it - your offer comes up. For example in the restaurant scenario it might show free dessert with the purchase of an entree, or 10% off. Customers simply show you the offer on their phone when they come to your location and you apply the discount at checkout.
As we all know, people are using their phones, more and more to find what their looking for locally - a restaurant, a nearby futon store, or a flower shop. Your business benefits from increased customer awareness of what you do where you do it and provides customers an incentive to visit your establishment.
If you are an existing Site Smart customer all you need to do is select the type of offer, decide how long you want to run it and contact Site Smart so we can update your Google Plus Local account.
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Saturday, November 24th is national "Shop Small Day". So get your specials to us ASAP!
If they are looking for a restaurant and hover over your map location and tap it - your offer comes up. For example in the restaurant scenario it might show free dessert with the purchase of an entree, or 10% off. Customers simply show you the offer on their phone when they come to your location and you apply the discount at checkout.
As we all know, people are using their phones, more and more to find what their looking for locally - a restaurant, a nearby futon store, or a flower shop. Your business benefits from increased customer awareness of what you do where you do it and provides customers an incentive to visit your establishment.
If you are an existing Site Smart customer all you need to do is select the type of offer, decide how long you want to run it and contact Site Smart so we can update your Google Plus Local account.
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Saturday, November 24th is national "Shop Small Day". So get your specials to us ASAP!
Monday, November 5, 2012
First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions
I had a bad head cold last week and stayed home. In between taking medicine and naps, I surfed the internet. I came across a great article about the power of making a great first impression. When humans meet eyeball to eyeball it takes just a quick glance, consisting of 2-3 seconds, to evaluate each other when they meet. In this short time, each person forms an opinion about each other based on appearance, body language, demeanor, mannerisms, and how they are dressed. These first impressions are lasting and can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo.
As a result, one can only conclude first encounters are extremely important and set the stage for any relationship that follows. This stuff is not new but I think sometimes it is misplaced by all of us.
As a internet marketing consultant, my mind immediately applied the concept of the first impression to a visitor on the internet who views a website for the first time. I wondered how fast a first impression was made and what were the factors affecting that impression.
I never gave it much thought before as to all the things our website designers at Site Smart Marketing employ, to consistently make a great first impression on a website. I only knew that I always liked the aesthetics of the work they did when the project was completed.
I started surfing the internet again and simply put in the Google search field website first impressions.
I found some interesting facts from The Science Daily from a test performed on a group using an eye scanner when they first viewed a number of websites.
1. When viewing a website it takes users less than two-tenths of a second to form a first impression.
2. It takes about 2.6 seconds for a user's eye to land on that area of a website that most influences their first impression.
3. The website sections that drew the most interest from viewers tested, in ascending order based on time spent, were:
The company's logo
The main navigation menu
The search box
Social networking links to sites such as FaceBook and Twitter
The site's main image
The site's written content
The bottom of a website page
The test participants recommended the main color and background color be pleasant and attractive, and the contrast of the text color should be such that it is easier to read. The subjects in the study also indicated the use of images was also an important factor in web design.
With my new insight and a review of the websites our web designers build, I have a new appreciation for what our Site Smart web designers have to consider in building a website that creates a great first and lasting impression.
Bob Bratton
As a result, one can only conclude first encounters are extremely important and set the stage for any relationship that follows. This stuff is not new but I think sometimes it is misplaced by all of us.
As a internet marketing consultant, my mind immediately applied the concept of the first impression to a visitor on the internet who views a website for the first time. I wondered how fast a first impression was made and what were the factors affecting that impression.
I never gave it much thought before as to all the things our website designers at Site Smart Marketing employ, to consistently make a great first impression on a website. I only knew that I always liked the aesthetics of the work they did when the project was completed.
I started surfing the internet again and simply put in the Google search field website first impressions.
I found some interesting facts from The Science Daily from a test performed on a group using an eye scanner when they first viewed a number of websites.
1. When viewing a website it takes users less than two-tenths of a second to form a first impression.
2. It takes about 2.6 seconds for a user's eye to land on that area of a website that most influences their first impression.
3. The website sections that drew the most interest from viewers tested, in ascending order based on time spent, were:
The company's logo
The main navigation menu
The search box
Social networking links to sites such as FaceBook and Twitter
The site's main image
The site's written content
The bottom of a website page
The test participants recommended the main color and background color be pleasant and attractive, and the contrast of the text color should be such that it is easier to read. The subjects in the study also indicated the use of images was also an important factor in web design.
With my new insight and a review of the websites our web designers build, I have a new appreciation for what our Site Smart web designers have to consider in building a website that creates a great first and lasting impression.
Bob Bratton
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Building A Brand Online
Small businesses don't generally have the budget or time to compete with the big brand names, like Coca-Cola or IBM. That shouldn't mean the exclusion of "must do" basics to build brand awareness for your small business, via the internet. A brand is defined as a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's goods or services as distinctive from the competition.
What's Your Message?
Brand building for a small business isn't just about the products or services you offer, such as logo, taglines, catchphrases, graphics, shapes, colors, sounds, scents, tastes, or movements. For branding purposes these things are important, to be sure. However, branding is not just about the product but about the perception of the purchaser.Do People Like You?
For the small business owner branding can be as simple as being "you". Do people like and remember you? Do they speak highly of your business and the way you do business with them? If they do, odds are - they will purchase from you rather than your competition. They will also tell their friends and thereby increase your positive brand image in the marketplace, as well as increase sales.Join The Discussion
With the increasing use of social networking websites, like Facebook and Twitter, it is a must to participate in the discussion to build brand awareness. By keeping customers informed, offering incentives, and providing one-on-one direct contact with them, a continued following will develop.Find Your Niche
To start, you may want to consider building your brand using a smaller niche market approach. For instance, if you are a small business offering cleaning services you might want to establish a niche market by specializing in blind cleaning services. Start small and then build brand loyalty and offer your full range of services or products.Keep In Contact
Make sure you build an email list of your existing and new customers. You also want to make sure your website offers a email sign-up function for a mailing list or newsletter. If you create a mailing list you then have a direct marketing window to notify people who are interested in your products. You can also notify them of new products on your website or specials. Send emails regularly, at least once a month. For brand loyalty to continue to grow you should keep in constant contact with your customers.Our Conclusion
The small business owner is running short on time, running their business. Here are some simple tips to start branding your company that don't take a great deal of time. After all, you have to reach out to new, potential customers seeking your products or services. Why not continually reach out to your existing customers too?Monday, October 8, 2012
Spoofing, Phishing and Identity Theft
A warning was recently issued by the FBI and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on how criminals on the internet are using new tricks called phishing and “spoofing” to steal our identities.
The warning indicated that bogus e-mails can be sent to you from seemingly real companies that try to trick you into giving out personal information – this practice is called “phishing”. This tactic is one of the most troubling scams on the internet.
The FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) has seen a steady increase in complaints that involve some form of unsolicited e-mail directing consumers to a phony "Customer Service" type of website. Assistant Director Monroe said that, “the scam is contributing to a rise in identity theft, credit card fraud, and other Internet frauds.
We wanted to take a moment to educate you on the various terminologies and point out types of threats that you may receive, so you will be better equipped to recognize and prevent these unwanted scams.
1) If you want to update your information online, always open a new browser window and type in the website address of the legitimate company. Never click to their website from a link within an email.
2) If a website address is unfamiliar, it's probably not safe. Only visit addresses that you have been to before, type them into a fresh browser window, or start at your normal homepage.
3) Most companies require you to log in to a secure site. Look for the lock at the bottom of your browser and make sure “https” is in front of the website address.
4) Check the domain name or website address of the website. Most legitimate sites will have a relatively short internet address that usually is the business name followed by “.com”, “.net”, or “.org”. Spoof sites are more likely to have a very long string of characters in the domain name, with the legitimate business name somewhere in there, or maybe not at all.
5) If you have any doubts or are not sure about an email or website, contact the company directly. Write down the questionable website's address and ask them if the web site address is theirs and that the email request they sent to you is legitimate.
The FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) has seen a steady increase in complaints that involve some form of unsolicited e-mail directing consumers to a phony "Customer Service" type of website. Assistant Director Monroe said that, “the scam is contributing to a rise in identity theft, credit card fraud, and other Internet frauds.
We wanted to take a moment to educate you on the various terminologies and point out types of threats that you may receive, so you will be better equipped to recognize and prevent these unwanted scams.
Spoofing & Phishing
“Spoofing” or "phishing," frauds attempt to make internet users believe that they are receiving e-mail from a specific, trusted source, or that they are securely connected to a trusted web site, when that is not the case. Spoofing is generally used as a means to convince you to provide personal or financial information that enables the scam artists to commit credit card, bank fraud, or other forms of identity theft.Email Spoofing
In "e-mail spoofing" the e-mail appears to have originated from someone or somewhere other than the actual source. Spam distributors and criminals often use spoofing in an attempt to get email receivers to open and possibly respond to their inquiries.IP Spoofing
"IP Spoofing" is a technique used to gain unauthorized access to computers, whereby the intruder sends a message to a computer with an IP address indicating that the message is coming from a trusted source.Link Alteration
"Link alteration" involves altering the return address in a web page sent to a consumer to make it go to the hacker's site rather than the legitimate site. This is accomplished by adding the hacker's address before the actual address in any e-mail, or page that has a request going back to the original site. If an individual unsuspectingly receives a spoofed e-mail requesting them to "click here to update" their account information, and then are redirected to a site that looks exactly like their Internet Service Provider, or a commercial site like EBay or PayPal, there is an increasing chance that you will follow through in submitting your personal information. Don’t do it.Tips To Follow
Maybe you already know how to protect yourself, but it bears repeating as we all forget, get busy, or we are in a hurry and don't check things before “clicking”. Here are some tips from the FBI on how to protect yourself from internet fraud and identity theft:1) If you want to update your information online, always open a new browser window and type in the website address of the legitimate company. Never click to their website from a link within an email.
2) If a website address is unfamiliar, it's probably not safe. Only visit addresses that you have been to before, type them into a fresh browser window, or start at your normal homepage.
3) Most companies require you to log in to a secure site. Look for the lock at the bottom of your browser and make sure “https” is in front of the website address.
4) Check the domain name or website address of the website. Most legitimate sites will have a relatively short internet address that usually is the business name followed by “.com”, “.net”, or “.org”. Spoof sites are more likely to have a very long string of characters in the domain name, with the legitimate business name somewhere in there, or maybe not at all.
5) If you have any doubts or are not sure about an email or website, contact the company directly. Write down the questionable website's address and ask them if the web site address is theirs and that the email request they sent to you is legitimate.
We hope these tips help keep you and your personal information secure on the internet. If you are an existing Site Smart customer and you receive emails that are in question, you are welcome to contact us. We are happy to help scrutinize any “fishy” emails you may receive.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Goodbye Google Places, Hello Google Plus Local
Another very important update has happened on the Google front. Google Places is now gone and has been replaced by Google Plus Local, a combination of Google's social hub and Zagat, the popular restaurant reviews website that Google acquired in September, 2011.
Announced on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Google Plus Local is intended to integrate the social networking website, Google Plus, with the other products and services Google offers like Maps, Search, and Mobile.
Businesses that have a Google Place page with reviews in the form of stars will now see the listing replaced with a Google Plus Local page showing a score (29/30) rather than stars. Google Plus Local will allow users to share reviews, experiences, photos and more socially relevant information relating to places and local businesses. Most of these changes are obvious at first glance, and the user experience seems much more easy to navigate with common logic. The Google Plus Local page is designed to show searchers a wide range of information about each business all on one screen. The information is now compiled from photos found on the internet, the old Google Places business listings, and now from friends and family and other people connected to the business.
So what exactly are the changes and how can they impact your business or organization? Well, let's take a simple overview of the basics:
This change will definitely encourage businesses to claim and maintain their Google Plus Local pages in order to remain relevant and engaging within the marketplace. More good news regarding this update is that the now retired Google Place Pages were blocked from showing in search engine results, but will now be able to appear in search results, opening a new channel to engage and interact with customers.
Although this has litterally occurred just a few days ago depending on when you are reading this, it is certain that the implications for local search engine marketing are pretty tremendous. The effects of this in regard to search, local reviews, mobile and more will certainly be far reaching.
But for this moment atleast, as a local web marketer it is enough to know whatever you know today will change tomorrow. That's what makes the field of internet marketing so interesting.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime at (702) 666-8876.
Announced on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Google Plus Local is intended to integrate the social networking website, Google Plus, with the other products and services Google offers like Maps, Search, and Mobile.
Businesses that have a Google Place page with reviews in the form of stars will now see the listing replaced with a Google Plus Local page showing a score (29/30) rather than stars. Google Plus Local will allow users to share reviews, experiences, photos and more socially relevant information relating to places and local businesses. Most of these changes are obvious at first glance, and the user experience seems much more easy to navigate with common logic. The Google Plus Local page is designed to show searchers a wide range of information about each business all on one screen. The information is now compiled from photos found on the internet, the old Google Places business listings, and now from friends and family and other people connected to the business.
So what exactly are the changes and how can they impact your business or organization? Well, let's take a simple overview of the basics:
- Google Plus Local pages are now replacing all Google Places pages.
- A “Local” tab has been added to the Google Plus dashboard.
- Reviews in the form of a number score (23/30) will replace the existing Google Reviews star system.
- Information from the web that already exists for your business are now complied to create your listing.
- Management of the listings still take place in the Google Places dashboard.
- Google Plus Local pages will be fully integrated across Google properties. (Maps, Search, Mobile)
- Google Plus Local will utilize “circles” to show users reviews and recommendations from friends and colleagues.
This change will definitely encourage businesses to claim and maintain their Google Plus Local pages in order to remain relevant and engaging within the marketplace. More good news regarding this update is that the now retired Google Place Pages were blocked from showing in search engine results, but will now be able to appear in search results, opening a new channel to engage and interact with customers.
Although this has litterally occurred just a few days ago depending on when you are reading this, it is certain that the implications for local search engine marketing are pretty tremendous. The effects of this in regard to search, local reviews, mobile and more will certainly be far reaching.
But for this moment atleast, as a local web marketer it is enough to know whatever you know today will change tomorrow. That's what makes the field of internet marketing so interesting.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime at (702) 666-8876.
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