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By melih
Ping
These Battle Lines Are Drawn in Yellow
By MIGUEL HELFT
Published: February 14, 2010
Google is taking on the Yellow Pages by courting small businesses. A new service, to highlight listings, costs only $25 a month.
Yellow may be an appropriate color for the tag. Google’s new enhanced business listings, which it started to test quietly in Houston and San Jose, Calif., early this month, have an obvious competitor: the Yellow Pages.
“I think Google is going to be the new Yellow Pages,” Mr. Cowie said. “More and more of these younger kids are used to Google. They are looking at their phones rather than opening up a phone book.”
Click here to view the whole article at the New York Times.
By teamsf
Free Calculator Projects Revenue Growth Opportunities From Optimized Site Performance, Enables Organizations to Improve Customer Experience
DETROIT–January 11, 2010–Today, Gomez, the Web performance division of Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ: CPWR) announced the availability of the first tool that calculates the financial impact of web page load times. Designed for line of business and e-commerce professionals, the new Compuware Financial Analysis Support Tool (F.A.S.T. Calculator) helps companies calculate how much revenue is at risk from slow web page load times. Launched today at the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City, the free calculator is available at www.compuware.com/fastcalc.
The Compuware F.A.S.T. Calculator is built from real users’ Web experience data that correlates Web page load times with page abandonment rates. Simply by entering some basic data about a company’s online operations–such as conversion rates, monthly visitor tally, average transaction value size and Web page load time–the tool generates a custom report that includes a twelve month projection of how much additional revenue a site could potentially capture with performance improvements. At launch, the tool has built-in economic models for retail, travel and tourism, and media and publishing Web sites, plus a general model for other industries.
“Consumers expect immediate response regardless of where in the world they might be accessing a site from, what sort of device they are using and whose network(s) they might be on,” said Bob Paul, President and COO, Compuware Corporation. “Competitors are a second away, so organizations can’t give customers any excuse to click away, as this tool clearly illustrates.”
The underlying data supporting this tool was calculated using page abandonment rate data aggregated across more than 150 Web sites, 34,000 Web pages and over 150 million page views captured between November 10 and December 10, 2009. The data was collected and analyzed using the Gomez Actual Experience real-user monitoring solution. Response time and abandonment rates are based on tags installed on live web sites across a variety of industries including retail, travel, financial services and more. The data calculates the relationship between abandonment rates and response time in one-second intervals between one and 20 seconds. The abandonment rate is defined as the number of abandonments out of the number of pages loaded for each one second time band.
Gomez, the Web Performance Division of Compuware, provides the industry’s leading solutions for optimizing the performance, availability, and quality of web and mobile applications. The on-demand Gomez platform integrates solutions for web load testing, web performance management, web cross-browser testing, and web performance business analysis that tests and measures web and mobile applications from the “outside-in,” or across all users, browsers, devices, and geographies, using a global network of over 100,000 locations. When combined with Compuware Vantage, Gomez offers the industry’s only solution for optimizing application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet. Over 2,500 customers worldwide, ranging from small companies to large enterprises—including 12 of the top 20 most visited US web sites—use Gomez solutions to increase revenue, build brand loyalty and decrease costs.
Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/compuware and http://twitter.com/Gomez_Inc.
Compuware Corporation
Founded in 1973, Compuware provides software, experts and best practices to ensure applications work well and deliver business value. Compuware solutions optimize application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet for leading businesses around the world, including 46 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies and 12 of the top 20 most visited U.S. web sites. Learn more at: www.compuware.com.
The Compuware logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5950.
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Press Contact
Samantha McGarry, Gomez Division, Compuware Corporation, 781-778-2783, smcgarry@gomez.com
For Sales and Marketing Information
Compuware Corporation, One Campus Martius, Detroit, MI 48226, 800-521-9353, http://www.compuware.com
By melih
Recently I was looking to find the Abba singing groups website. Of course my first instinct was to type in www.abba.com in my browser.
What do you think came up? It certainly wasn’t the singing group’s website, but rather The American Bed and Breakfast Association (we’ll call them the “breakfast folks” for the rest of this article). I was shocked. How is it possible that some this organization would have the domain name for the most popular group in history?
Needless to say I had no choice but to do a search for Abba to find their website. As it turns out their website address is www.abbbasite.com. At this point I didn’t have a choice, but to check all three major search engines to see what would come up. At Yahoo and Bing, the “breakfast folks” don’t come up on the first page. At Google they show up at the bottom, which is good. I would hate to have the “breakfast folks” show up for a search for the brand of such a popular group.
The next question that comes to mind, is how the heck did the “breakfast folks” get the Abba domain name? Well at first I couldn’t help but assume the price wasn’t right to them. Further investigation shows that the domain name abbasite.com was on 23-jul-1998. Whereas Abba.com was registered 21 Nov 1999. Hmm….certainly puzzling why the group didn’t grab their own domain name when they first registered. Of course if I were the “breakfast folks” I would certainly grab the domain name that matches my organization if it is available!
Can’t fault the “breakfast folks” for registering the domain name under the circumstances of this information. Not sure if there is anything else out there that may further explain why Abba, the singing group, didn’t get their own domain name. Anyone have any thoughts?
The partially good news is that Abba’s website has a Alexa Traffic Rank of 310,000 vs. the “breakfast folks” have their traffic rank at 1.5 million. This would indicate the “breakfast folks” are not completely stealing the traffic from the singing group, although, we can’t help wonder if their bounce rate is higher than 50%.
As an Internet Marketing company we cannot help but identify these type of branding issues on the web and raise the question. Certain Abba, the singing group’s brand, is much more popular that the “breakfast folks”. You will notice we didn’t not link back to them, but only to ABBA!
p.s. the tags used in this article were obtained directly from the meta keywords of both websites.
By teamsf
Compuware Corporation Offers Gomez Web Monitoring to Help Retailers Protect Revenue and Customer Satisfaction
Detroit (PRWEB) November 17, 2009 — To keep retail Web sites working optimally and shoppers buying, Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ:CPWR), through its Web performance division Gomez, is spreading the holiday cheer. With $44.7B in online sales at stake this holiday season, retailers are counting more than ever on Web channels to attract shoppers and fill shopping carts.
Compuware Cyber Monday
From Black Friday through Cyber Monday (November 27 through 30) when shoppers usually flock online to take advantage of special promotions and free shipping, Compuware will offer online retailers free Gomez Web performance monitoring and consulting services to help retailers identify and resolve the source of Web site errors, outages or slowdowns to optimize performance. The company will also offer priority access to its Vantage problem resolution teams for situations when Web monitoring indicates issues originating from the datacenter and require onsite triage services. Vantage services are available on a preferred basis to program registrants with normal applicable fees. No other vendor can match the breadth of our capabilities to optimize application performance from the Enterprise to the Internet.
Starting today, retailers can visit www.compuware.com/cybermonday to register for complimentary Web monitoring and priority service over the holiday weekend and on Cyber Monday. Upon registration, Compuware will initiate Gomez Web performance monitoring of a retailer’s online shopping Web site including testing to measure response times and availability across multiple geographies, ISPs and connection speeds. Compuware will provide real-time alerts to the retailer if Web site performance issues are identified and will also provide a dedicated toll free number for retailers to contact Compuware experts in the event that application performance issues are identified by the retailer before they become outwardly evident.
“To compete for customers’ clicks and wallets, retailers are adding considerable richness and extra functionalities to their Web sites. This increased complexity, combined with surging Web traffic and consumers’ high expectations for fast and error-free online shopping, creates a perfect storm for Web site problems precisely when retailers are most in need of peak performance,” said Bob Paul, Compuware President and COO. “Fortunately, we are here to help retailers sail through this crucial weekend. No other vendor can match the breadth of our capabilities to optimize application performance from the Enterprise to the Internet.”
The offer is available to all online retailers and extends through November 30.
Gomez, the Web performance division of Compuware, provides the industry’s leading solutions for optimizing the performance, availability, and quality of Web and mobile applications. The on-demand Gomez platform integrates solutions for Web load testing, Web performance management, Web cross-browser testing, and Web performance business analysis that test and measure Web and mobile applications from the “outside-in” – across all users, browsers, devices, and geographies – using a global network of over 100,000 locations. When combined with Compuware Vantage, Gomez offers the industry’s only solution for optimizing application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet. Over 2,500 customers worldwide, ranging from small companies to large enterprises – including 12 of the top 20 most visited US Web sites – use Gomez solutions to increase revenue, build brand loyalty, and decrease costs.
Compuware Vantage provides end-to-end management of application performance to ensure problems are detected proactively and solved quickly and efficiently, and IT service delivery is aligned with business needs. Compuware Vantage is the market’s only IT service management solution that integrates end-user experience monitoring, application performance management and business service management into a single offering.
Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/compuware and @Gomez_Inc
Compuware Corporation
Founded in 1973, Compuware provides software, experts and best practices to ensure applications work well and deliver business value. Compuware solutions optimize application performance across the Enterprise and the Internet for leading businesses around the world, including 46 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies and 12 of the top 20 most visited U.S. web sites. Learn more at: http://www.compuware.com.
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By melih
Recently we tried to remove Windows Family Safety from a computer because it was nothing but a nuisance. While we understand the need for this type of program for some people, for others it is purely unnecessary.
We were very disappointed to not be able to find an easy way to uninstall this one program. Afterall one would think going to the Control Panel > Programs and Features in Windows Vista would do the trick. Naturally this begged the question, “how the heck did this thing get installed”.
We learned that Windows Family Safety can be found with Windows Live Onecare and also within Windows Live Essentials. Since we didn’t have Windows Live Onecare, we had to assume this snuck into our computer through Windows Live Essentials.
Looking up Windows Live Essentials at the Microsoft webwsite and you will see it contains Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Live Movie Maker Beta, Windows Live Family Safety, and Windows Live Toolbar. We found it!
Additional Windows Live Essentials programs include:
Microsoft Office Outlook® Connector, Office Live Add-in, Microsoft Silverlight
Removing Windows Live Essentials will remove all of these features. Therefore, if you like one or more of products and not others, you will need to turn off the service of the one you do not want.
As an example. If you wanted to turn off Windows Family Safety, you can do so by:
1. Go to Start Menu => Run
2. Type: services.msc
3. click ok
4. Find the service “Windows Live Family Safety” in the list.
5. Double click on that
6. Change start type to disabled
7. Click Stop if that is activated
8. Click OK
You may want to reboot your computer at this point.
Windows Family Safety is the most likely item amongst the Windows Live Essentials programs that someone would want to remove. Of course we are recommending for Microsoft to allow for individual program uninstallations instead of this “group huddle” of programs.
We hope this will help someone else out there when they are trying to uninstall Windows Family Safety.
By melih
It is difficult to understanding why Microsoft would release a Service Pack without insuring that it will accommodate all versions of Windows Vista. If you think that Windows Vista has a Home, Business and Ultimate versions and then there is also a 32 bit and 64 bit versions too, then you can understand the complexity requiring 100% compliance before sending an update to the masses.
This link explains the problems related to Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) from Microsoft’s answers website. This Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack was released at the end of June 2009. Specifically the problems identified…..so far…..are for Windows Vista Ultimate installations with multi-languages installed.
Let us break this down. Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate is the so called top of the line Windows Vista version that one would spend extra money to have on a computer. Since that is a known fact, one would think…dare I say…assume….that Microsoft would want those that have Windows Vista Ultimate installed and have spent extra money to be supported before anyone else!
So, how is it possible that a service pack is released and not be able to support the Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate group of installations?!…and with multiple languages….why release a service pack that only caters to five languages? Why NOT wait until you have all languages supported before you release a service pack?
Now lets take a look at the business side of these decisions by some idiot at Microsoft for releasing a service pack too soon. We have spent on one of our computers 3 attempts to install Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2). Each time it has taken over 5 hours to get through the installation and then the revert process. The lost productivity in these failed attempts of Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) cannot be billed to Microsoft! Now, lets multiply this by the respondents in the link above….now let’s multiply this by everyone that does not know that their problem is a result of Microsoft ineptitude!
Why is it that we cannot bill our lost business productivity to Microsoft?
Did they inform us before the installation process that the process (within my Windows update routine) would fail because there is a limitation on the languages? (I certainly didn’t see a special warning window)
Did they build something into the update process to first check my system that I have their top of the line Windows Vista version, Windows Vista Ultimate, and that I have languages installed that are not supported? Therefore before we spend hours upon hours on unproductive labor time we can stop the process! (certainly doesn’t seem that way)
So, why can we NOT bill Microsoft for our lost productivity for their ineptitude? Someone has to take responsibility for lost business productivity and until Microsoft is held accountable for the lost productivity these types of ridiculous wasted time updates will continue to happen. Certainly this is more in line of a class action lawsuit against Microsoft…hopefully someone….at some point….will be able to get something in place to insure 100% integrity of all updates prior to release.
By teamsf
Google announced today through emails to content providers and users of Google Base that they are improving the Google Base services. These changes include the Terms of Service as well as the ability to add more pertinent information about your business.
Google added, “Starting today, when you sign in to your Google Base account, you’ll be asked to select your location. After you click “Continue,” you’ll be presented with our new Terms of Service. Please take a moment to read through these terms carefully. Once you’ve accepted the new terms, we invite you to provide additional information about your business, such as your business address and phone number.”
All users accounts of Google Base have 30 days to access their account and accept the new terms of services. The account can be suspended if the new terms of service are not accepted within 30 days and you could lose your information that has already been posted.
Google Base is a free Google service that helps you publish virtually any kind of information and make it available to users of Google Base as well as those searching the web for information.
By melih
If you noticed that Google has a new look coming for Webmaster tools you will also have notice there is external backlinks data is different in new vs. old (or current) webmaster tools.
Google is about to release a new version of the Webmaster tools and at first glance you will notice that the external links in the new version are much lower than in the current version. After some research we found that the problem has been answered by Google at this link and states the following:
“We hope you’ve had a chance to check out the new, redesigned version of Webmaster Tools! You may notice that your backlinks data differs between the new and old versions—this is because we’re still filling in data for some sites in the new version. We hope that you’ll find the new data more comprehensive once it’s 100% filled in.”
Based on this it would appear that it is only a matter of keeping an eye out on this as Google makes sure the data from the current version ends up in the new version.
Hopefully this will help clear up any issues with others as they find this problem. Thanks for checking in at SmartFinds Internet Marketing.
By melih
SmartFinds Internet Marketing honored as one Of the 2009 Michigan 50 companies to watch for Internet marketing services
Birmingham, Michigan – April 30, 2009 (SMARTFINDS INTERNET MARKETING) – SmartFinds Internet Marketing has been recognized as one of the 2009 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.
“SmartFinds Internet Marketing is an outstanding company and deserves recognition as one of Michigan’s companies to watch,’” noted the Edward Lowe Foundation in a written acknowledgement.
Michigan 50 Companies to Watch celebrates high-performing companies in the state of Michigan. Known for their contributions in the marketplace, innovative products, unique processes or philanthropic actions, these companies represent a wide range of industries throughout the state.
Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities. Judges evaluated the nominees’ demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:
-Employee or sales growth.
-Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
-Sustainable competitive advantage.
-Other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.
“We are honored to be selected as a recipient of this award,” commented Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing. “This award helps showcase our company’s creativity and technical skills in providing corporations with complete Internet marketing services and solutions.”
CEO Melih Oztalay has fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a digital marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns to drive traffic to client web sites from more than just search engines.
SmartFinds Internet Marketing provides businesses with Internet marketing services and solutions that include all or a combination of the following to meet the business growth and revenue objectives: Research, Strategy and Planning; Creative and Technical Development; Content Marketing; Social Media Marketing; Internet advertising solutions; Management, Measurement and Analysis.
The official unveiling of the Michigan 50 class of 2009 will take place during a Michigan Celebrates Small Business event at Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan on April 30, 2009. Michigan Celebrates Small Business are presented in association with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Small Business Association of Michigan, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com.
Contact: Doug Menzer, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, doug@smartfindsmarketing.com
By sfadmin
….to become socially active.
In good times people go spend their money and this alone strengthens their relationship with their favorite brands. Today, in recession times, when consumers spend less, this relationship weakens.
Social networks like Facebook can provide a low-cost solution to strengthen this relationship regardless of consumer spending. Brands can build social communities to interact, dialog, and build trust and credibility with their consumers. More importantly, they can listen to their consumers’ minds’, get actionable ideas on how to make their customers happier, and learn what market messages are more appropriate for today’s’ tough market conditions.
As for practicality, the brands don’t have to run social network campaigns. Instead they can harness emerging technologies which enable them to build their own online communities of influencers. Those influencers are capable of reaching tens of thousands of interested consumers and serve as their core target audience group to spread the word and build their brand image.
Some statistics:
* 50% of consumers are looking for direct dialogue with brands
* 80% of consumers are expecting businesses to take part in social media
* 90% of consumers would switch to a competitive brand just for listening
Social media marketing takes time and effort, but you end up having open conversations with customers.
Who better to talk if you’re in business?
Gene
