Internet Explorer 9

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Brenda Simon

It’s a great idea, and fun to design for Internet Explorer 9. HTML 5 ready to go.

Until you realize IE9 won’t run on Windows XP at all – and 55% of PCs still use Windows XP. There goes the fun. As a web designer it’s fun to push the limits and see what can be created, but a website which is can’t be seen on 55% of computers doesn’t serve the owner -unless they have the budget to allow you to create the various versions/hacks for backward compatibility.

Microsoft still has a huge share of the browser market with 56+%, but it’s down from 68+%. FireFox is next at 21+%…used to love that browser, but all the add-ons have often become more trouble than worth trying to track down the trouble spot.

Nice to hear Microsoft is advocating users stop using Internet Explorer 6 – this is the most troublesome browser to gain compatibility. It requires it’s own style-sheet just to get it near the original design and functionality. RIP IE6!

To Video or not

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Brenda Simon

Video helps drive a website. It is true.

Video can be in the form of a slide show. A combination of still photos and video is typically the nicest – wonderful possibilities for something creative.

Video has come a long way, and yet still is simple. You see a lot of home filmed informational videos. As a business owner you can create something informational: “how to” and show the process of what your business creates. Look at what is out there, take notes of what is missing in the videos you view, to help you create your own; then give it a new spin. How-to video allows far less creativity as the draw is simply educational.

But video to drive your website is fast becoming as slick as TV commercials with a gimmick, clever hook and something eye catching. Particularly if your video is NOT a how to you’ll want to push the envelope. A drawn out, slow paced video isn’t enough, anymore. You’ll see these a lot on yellow page advertising – they used to be a nice additional “something moving”, but it’s not enough – the generic video just can’t do much for you. You really need polish to an ad video. The good news: people watch shorter and shorter videos. If you don’t catch them in the first 30 seconds, they will probably move on. Statistics are reducing the length of this ad based video from 5 minutes to 1.5 minute. Shorter videos can be less labor intense!

Think of TV commercials – short and to the punch.

YouTube is doing a lot of 15 second and 30 second “instream” ad clips on YouTube videos. The owner allows it (there is a payment much like Google’s AdSense), and there are companies selling the service, you can also do-it-yourself. Create your video and submit to YouTube (owned by Google). For a set fee it will be placed on other videos for X number of “impressions”. There is a lot of skepticism if this will work, since so many of us click off these commercials. But right now is a good time to test the waters before saturation sets in.

If you create a video and post it on YouTube consider the above “negative” – people clicking OFF your video IF you choose to allow the ads. If your purpose is to educate or drive your website your video needs to be seen. Check out instream advertising.

Drive Your Website

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Brenda Simon

This really surprised me. Google has always ranked sites according to the frequency of changes. This is why a blog is a great tool to help drive your website.

A recent study shows that most small businesses update their websites monthly. The study goes on to say as few as 5 updates a month can dramatically increase web traffic by 300%. That’s the stat: 300%. Pretty impressive! Little cost-huge impact.

Keep your website working for you. It needs refreshing.

If your website is truly an online brochure you send clients to visit and you don’t need any new traffic you can leave it stagnant. If you are trying to pick up new online clients refresh your content. Factor it into your advertising plan and let it work for you.

Blink Credit Card

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Brenda Simon

Several months ago I heard a news story how scammers can read your credit card through your handbag and wallet via a scanner. Then do their damage. I decided to try carrying cards back to back hoping that would mess up any data they were reading. Not based in science, but no solutions were offered in the news story.

Ten days ago the story resurfaced to identify cards at risk. These are the ones you can wave past card readers at the register (as opposed to sliding via the magnetic strip). I am guessing Shell Pass, and other gasoline cards make use of this technology. Turns out the way to know which cards are at risk is by locating a sound wave symbol on the front or back of your card. Some are called “Blink”.

I found I had such a card, to my surprise, since I hadn’t requested it – nor do I wave my credit card around to charge things. (I find this humorous: can you imagine if auctions allowed this?) The solution – call your card issuer and ask to have a new card sent – minus the technology. The day I called I experienced LONG waits – I guess I wasn’t the only watching major network news

The fun part: when you cut your old card – there actually IS a tiny chip embedded in all that plastic – must be what my dog has!

Keep your identity safe.

Bing and Facebook vs Do Not Track?

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Brenda Simon

As reviews have integrated into Google search results, now Facebook “likes” will be very helpful for small business owners on Bing! It’s much like a referral – when you are searching for a product or business how nice to see a familiar face under the search result. A good reason for business owners to be on Facebook.

There is the privacy issue for Facebook users, but Facebook users have always had to keep on top of their privacy settings in the constantly changing environment of Facebook.

Right on the heels of Bing’s announcement is the “Do Not Track” bill is working its way through Congress. The battle between advertisers and marketers; and people tired of solicitation. As small business owners we’re acquainted with walking that line. This one is interesting because it references the Do Not Call Registry.

While I have signed up with the Do Not Call Registry I was amused to hear recently it doesn’t matter if unwanted solicitors continue to call – being registered doesn’t actually help stop the calls. You have to file a complaint with the district attorney’s office, which of course will turn into a lot of time and energy. Easier to just hang up, or use Caller ID to screen. Just like before the Do Not Call Registry.

Cookies have long been a part of the internet. These can be tracking cookies, surely, but what a nice help when on Amazon.com and I need to know what I have searched – big time saver. The to-track or not-to-track will continue to evolve.

Auto Post to Facebook

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Brenda Simon

For my clients who are running a blog and a Facebook web page for their business there is a wonderful handy tool to write your blog and have it auto-post to your Facebook account.

The Facebook application is called NetworkedBlogs . It is not new, but works seamlessly. It can be a bit daunting. You “grant permissions”, which always seems vague to me. I didn’t see clearly “what” I was granting other than information on my Facebook page. Since I am a proponent of privacy this was the biggest hurdle for me.

There is one step missing. Once you have listed your blog with NetworkedBlogs while you are in the application screen you need to hit “PublishTest”, then “Click to View” and there it is on your web page wall. That wasn’t spelled out in the directions I was using, but could be because Facebook frequently tweaks and updates. Mission accomplished in about 20 minutes – mostly due to my curiosity in reading everything!

You have to verify your blog. If you aren’t used to web code – I suggest the “Verify through Friends” choice to keep it less frustrating.

GREAT tool to drive your website. To begin search for “NetworkedBlogs” on Facebook.

Camera with Projection

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Brenda Simon

This Nikon camera is the handiest tool for small business owners. Application: If you’re a closet maker, just completed a job with some new item installed you snap a photo. Before you have time to get it to your web designer and to your website you have a meeting and want to show this new item: you can project your photo onto a flat surface! Such a convenient tool for the small business owner! Simple, not a lot of equipment to haul around – you don’t even need! Suggested price is $350!

Facebook Privacy

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Brenda Simon

In case you are vigilant in your privacy settings Facebook released its updated privacy settings today:
http://www.facebook.com/policy.php

Most of it seems straight ahead. I did find one thing “good to know”:

If I click on an ad…MY privacy settings don’t apply – the advertiser’s do. No way of knowing what those might be.

And if I choose to purchase from a Facebook online page my shipping information also is not protected. Easy to understand the vendor needing the information, but hopeful THEIR privacy policy is in place. A reminder: read the privacy policies before purchasing.

This item is curious: “Delete uploaded contacts. If you use our contact importer to upload addresses, you can later delete the list on this help page. You can delete the email addresses of friends you have invited to join Facebook on your invite history page.”

The above really applies if you allowed Facebook to gather contacts from your Yahoo email client.

In conclusion the policy writes: “Risks inherent in sharing information. Although we allow you to set privacy options that limit access to your information, please be aware that no security measures are perfect or impenetrable. We cannot control the actions of other users with whom you share your information. We cannot guarantee that only authorized persons will view your information. We cannot ensure that information you share on Facebook will not become publicly available. We are not responsible for third party circumvention of any privacy settings or security measures on Facebook. You can reduce these risks by using common sense security practices such as choosing a strong password, using different passwords for different services, and using up to date antivirus software.”

Facebook does a pretty good job of allowing us to choose our privacy levels, and still relying on us to be responsible: not a bad mix.

Reviews

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Brenda Simon

One of the major changes online has been for customer reviews. These can come from any number of sources:
Facebook
Yelp!
Search engines now cull these into their search results, particularly on Google Places (used to be Google Maps), Bing and Yahoo Local listings. These help drive your website. Think of it as a “buzz” – someone is talking about your business. Even the negative can be a positive.

There are reviews services which charge a monthly fee to get reviews for your business. As a business owner you supply your clients’ email address or phone numbers and the company will contact them. (You can also put this review info on a note attached to each invoice you give to a client.) Once your client reviews your business the reviewing service contacts you and you can approve or disapprove allowing the review to be posted.

That can be the pitfall: if you never have any negative feedback – the believability factors in: are you screening your reviews? IF you have negative feedback and you address it – which most open source (Yelp!, Google, Yahoo! etc.) are now allowing you bring legitimacy to your business.

Everyone knows not every customer will be happy, but the way you engage an unhappy client speaks much about your effort in customer service. Thus the negative: becomes positive.

At this time of year I am reflecting on my business. I am looking to improve my business and offer more to my clients. I invite my clients to review my services online – on Facebook, wherever you are comfortable. Thank you to all this past year and your continued trust in me to help you make choices for your online business presence.

Merry Christmas!

Custom Web Designer

Category Archives: Small Business Website