Using Google’s New Layout to Your Advantage
This week, Google began implementing a new, colorful layout that provides more options for searchers than before. Instead of typing a search query and going through pages and pages of results, you'll now have the option of slimming down your choices. As The Register points out, the change is an obvious attempt to stay competitive against Microsoft's Bing, which touts itself as a user-friendly alternative to Google.
The change has already taken effect for many Google users, though it is apparently not across the board yet. If your Google searches look the same as always, expect to see the new layout within the coming days. The sorting options that now appear � by news, images, videos, maps, shopping, books, blogs, updates, discussions, time frame � were previously available, but most users did not know about them.
Here are some ways you can use the new layout to make your searches more efficient:
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Marketing When Business Is Good
Is your business turning a decent profit at the moment? Do you already have more inbound sales leads than you can handle? Are you uninterested in expanding your business because you're plenty comfortable with its current size? Do you have trouble justifying investing in marketing because the current economy is treating you so well?
You're one of the lucky ones, for sure, but that's no reason to ignore getting the word out about your business. Large, successful companies have in-house marketing departments and invest heavily in advertising for a reason: They want to remain in the black. They realize that the business world never stagnates. While the future may look bright for them now, they realize their situation could change very quick if their competition outsmarts them. They invest in marketing to ensure that doesn't happen.
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Danconia Media Launches New Site for RE/MAX Agent Kathy Ahlin
Danconia Media has launched a new website for Kathy Ahlin, a RE/MAX agent selling residential properties throughout the Concord region. The site � located at www.nuhome4u2.com � was designed using a robust and highly user-friendly content management system (CMS) that will allow Kathy Ahlin Realty to maintain it in-house. The site features pages showcasing available New Hampshire properties, buyer resources, seller resources, partners and testimonials from Ahlin's clients.
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How Important Is Your Website’s Homepage?
It used to be that the most work was dedicated to perfecting a site's homepage because, presumably, that would be the place visitors would see first. As Internet users become more sophisticated, they're bypassing sites' main pages in favor of getting the information they're seeking from landing pages. And instead of searching for general terms on Google, Yahoo! and Bing, they're getting much more specific, finding what they're seeking sooner.
CMS Wire cites statistics showing that show that the percentage of a large research website's page views being on the home page has been declining steadily since 2003: 39 percent in 2003, 19 percent in 2009 and, during one month in 2010, just over 2 percent. A technology website, according to CMS Wire, �had roughly 10 percent of page views for the homepage in 2008, and by 2010 it was down to 5 percent.�
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Google Now Considers Load Time a Ranking Factor
Google has announced that it has begun taking into account page loading time as a ranking factor. In a blog entry posted Friday, Google said the move is to improve experience for Internet users and site owners alike. The change took effect after extensive testing, according to Google, and site owners should check their load times to ensure they're not negatively impacted.
Matt Cutts, who heads Google's anti-webspam team, said in his blog that the change may impact smaller web sites more than larger ones. Tweaks can be made to small sites relatively easily, he wrote, while a larger company �might move slower or be hindered by bureaucracy.� While the change only affects less than 1% of search queries, Cutts said it's still worth making sure your site is as speedy as possible because it isn't �just something that can affect your search rankings � it's a fantastic idea for your users.�
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HydroDot, Inc. Launches Redesigned Web Site by Danconia Media
HydroDot, Inc., a developer of electroencephalograph (EEG) systems, has launched a completely redesigned Web site by Danconia Media.The site � located at www.hydrodot.net � features more than a dozen pages highlighting HydroDot's EEG products, including StatNet, HydroSpot, Waveprep and The HydroDot System. Danconia's Web designers built the site using an open-source and highly user-friendly content management system (CMS) that the company can use to maintain it in-house.
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Strafford Nutrition Meals on Wheels Receives Donated Web Site
Strafford Nutrition Meals on Wheels has launched a new Web site donated as part of Danconia Media's grant program specifically geared toward Granite State nonprofits and charities. The site � located at www.straffordmealsonwheels.org � was built using a highly user-friendly, open-source content management system (CMS) that the organization can now use to maintain it in-house. The design was headed by Danconia's Becky Gallant, who made sure the site's content would be easy for elderly visitors with poor vision to read and navigate.
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Study: Nearly 100 Percent of Consumers Research Online Before Purchasing Locally
If you're not already devoting most of your marketing budget to the Internet, now is the time to change your game plan. A new study by BIA/Kelsey indicates that 97 percent of consumers go online to research products and services locally. If they're not finding you during their searches, there's no doubt about it: You're losing business, and probably lots of it.
Consumers are getting their information from a variety of sources, but most of them start with popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing. Of those who participated in the study, 90 percent reported using search engines to conduct research. Forty-eight percent use the online Yellow pages, 42 percent use shopping comparison sites and 24 percent use vertical sites.
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Laconia Motorcycle Week Launches New Web Site by Danconia
The Laconia Motorcycle Week has launched a new Web site designed by Danconia Media that will act as a promotional and informational hub for the event, which attracts tourists from throughout the United States and Canada.
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Worldwide TechServices Launches New Site, Rebranding by Danconia Media
TEWKSBURY, Mass., Feb. 12 , 2010 � Danconia Media today announced the launching of a new web site and branding for Worldwide TechServices, a global technology service provider previously known as QualxServ.
The site � located at www.wwts.com � was built using a robust content management system (CMS) that will allow WWTS to maintain and add content in-house. As part of the web design package, WWTS got custom graphics, JavaScript development, a blog section to be maintained by CEO Brendan P. Keegan, professionally edited content and a custom language selection bar for international visitors.
Danconia also delivered a full rebranding package that included a logo design, creation of the tagline �More People. More Places.,� custom office stationary, corporate business cards, letterhead design and a custom Microsoft PowerPoint presentation design. WWTS executives requested marketing collateral to match the new name they picked for the company, which has over 3,000 technicians in more than 50 countries spanning the globe.
In a press release, WWTS said: �The new web site features improved documentation, functionality, search, maps, language support and additional tools that will make it easier for clients and prospects to do business with WorldWide TechServices.� Kae Kronthaler-Williams, WWTS's director of worldwide marketing, said the company has been getting a �great response� since the site's launching.
Prior to marketing WWTS, Danconia had experience working with other technology companies, including Acclinet Corp., an industry-leading reseller of servers, workstations and storage systems from Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, EMC, Cisco, Fujitsu and other manufacturers. With its already in-depth knowledge of the industry, Danconia was able to craft a plan geared toward WWTS's unique target.
About Danconia Media
Danconia Media is a full-service web design and marketing firm that takes a unique approach to both online and traditional campaigns. Specialties include business web design, search engine optimization, Internet marketing, social media marketing, direct mail, graphic design, logo design, corporate business card design, trade show display design, email marketing, copywriting and and press release writing. For more information, call (603) 217-5583 or visit https://danconia.com/.
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