Back to the Mac Event October 20th, 2010
Apple will be hosting a “Back to the Mac” event on October 20th from their Cupertino California headquarters to in all likelihood show off the next version of OS X. The event invitation showed a lion behind the Apple logo which leads one to believe the next version of OS X will be 10.7 Lion. (more…)
Google published in November of 2008 a PDF guide to Search Engine Optimization. The SEO Guide has been recently updated to include new content and features that have changed within the guide since it was first published. The guide is now extended to 32 pages from its original 22 pages of information. You can download the Google SEO Guide here.
Of note the Google Search Engine Optimization Guide now has more examples of pictures to explain some of the featured narrative within the guide. In addition to this there is also mobile device techniques for search engine optimization that are explained.
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
Web 2.0 Web Design Toronto
Just what is exactly Web 2.0? The term was first phrased in 1999 by Darcy DiNucci (Source – Wikipedia) where the internet and how it interacts with the user will be through many mediums, computers, TV sets, cell phones, console game systems and so forth. This was in 1999 and a lot of the operability of the internet on the aforementioned devices either did not exist or were in their infancy in development.
Over the years the term Web 2.0 was mentioned at media conferences or seminars and the definitions have become blurred based on differences of opinion by bloggers and journalists.
However, a breakdown of typical features of Web 2.0 designed websites has even been broken down into an acronym called SLATES.
Search- the ability to search or effect an search query function that interacts with the website
Links – not only traditional links to outside resources, but internal links to information that are related to the current content you may be reading
Authorship – the ability to publish content such as a blog or a wiki
Tags – the organization of the information into a meaningful reference for quicker search ability and collaboration
Extensions – the use of relevant date or activity to guide or initiate other activities
Signalling – alerts on change of content or areas of interest
Other aspects that make part of the Web 2.0 experience is Social interactivity. The belief is that if your products and services are worthy of commentary there is a good chance of viral marketing to occur where the users act as the advertising medium.
Simplified user experiences that are focused and targeted to the user you are reaching out to. It is more about the user, and less about you as the company. It’s focusing on the problems or challenges a user (customer) may be experiencing. You have identified their issue or problem and you are presenting solutions and then a quick way (call to action) to get the products, services, or help they need.
Web 2.0 Web Design Toronto
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
Toronto Search Engine Optimization Services
One of the questions we get asked often at Silentblast Interactive is for a businesses ability to get found on the internet through the search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo which are the more popular search engines on the internet.
There are primarily two methods of SEO; one being the PPC (Pay Per Click) model whereby you set up an account with one of the search engines such as Google with their Google AdWords program.
The other method is through organic or natural ranking based on specific keywords, terms or phrases similar in method to Google AdWords program but your not paying to compete for specific words on a set budget amount and for users when they click on your specific ad, it costs you.
While there is debate about what a user tends to click on after performing a specific search as to whether they click on a PPC ad or a natural organic ranked website for specific terms, phrases or keywords; there can be no denial of the benefit of ranking for specific terms as it pertains to your business in a natural search friendly manner.
The challenges of organic search are that unlike the PPC model, there are no instant results. Natural search engine optimization is part of a strategy that is more long term and with the combined efforts of both the website development company, an SEO specialist or consultant either outsourced or within and the business that wishes to implement an SEO strategy.
One of the challenges to natural search engine optimization is there is not the control nor can there be true predictions to the ranking. While ultimately the goal is to be on page 1 and number 1 for specific keywords or terms, it takes time to achieve that end goal. This is more determined by factors such as the age of the domain, its content that speaks to the key words or phrases. The content being added on a regular basis to refresh and bring relevancy to those keywords and phrases on a regular schedule that is in effect continually building upon your site.
It takes time to become an authority and there are no short cuts when it comes to natural or organic search engine optimization. It is part of short term and long term strategies for business success on the internet.
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
When you or a business are looking for website design companies in Toronto it is easy to just look at the only the design factor of the website without not putting a lot of thought into what type of business or customer you are looking to appeal to or target.
A cool looking website is often just that, a cool looking website. Lots of “stuff” happening potentially like Flash integration, maybe some music, cool mouse over effects that maybe even execute more cool sounds.
Meanwhile you are trying or thought you were marketing your business and all those cool distractions have probably swayed the business or customer to look elsewhere.
How did this happen? Well, a combination of a web design company that has gone into “let me take your pizza order” mode and a client who unless they are a web designer and have a portfolio to show for; has turned into a web designer.
While there is nothing wrong with web design input from a client; it can often lead to the recreation of something they may already have that was not working out. The appeal of the website design is focused on the likes/dislikes of an individual and not based on user interface, usability, and web design concepts that should appeal to a greater audience.
There should be stated goals or expectations of the website design and overall strategy of the website, from brand, the structure of the navigation, the content which includes marketing focus points and design to name a few things to consider in overall website design.
It is very crucial that businesses look at the website almost from the perspective of the outside looking in; and think potentially like a customer or a client they wish to appeal to. That kind of perspective separates the habit of personal “wants” within the website design and focuses on the “needs” or “goals”.
Here are some basic questions as a business to consider regarding online goals or expected achievements that can be discussed with your website design and development company.
Silentblast Interactive - Toronto Web Design
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
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Search Engine Optimization SEO - Google Instant
Google Instant is continuing to roll out and if you have for example a Google account such as a Gmail address in Canada you can see that Google Instant has already started to roll out at least within Canada. It has not rolled out in all countries as of yet.
What is Google Instant? Essentially it is a new search methodology enhancement that shows results as you type in the search bar. Results begin to appear as you type. Google is doing this to speed up web searches. Google believes that seeing changing search terms as you type will provide for more meaningful and instant feedback in helping you find what you are search for.
Is there going to be concerns with respect to SEO (Search Engine Optimization)? There potentially will be changes in searches from the local perspective; such as typing in “mortgage broker Toronto” or “Toronto mortgage broker” where if a site has been SEO’d on those search terms there should also be relevant content speaking to mortgages, brokers and within that context as well locality.
A lot of SEO consultants and firms still believe and rightfully so with the local organic search model in that for the most part; people either type in a service, or product as an example and then a location; or vice versa.
Google has suggested that Google Instant will potentially change how people do search. There are differences of opinion in the blogosphere on that issue that will take some time to note if there is a significant impact as it relates to SEO.
Silentblast Interactive - Toronto Web Design
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
Blackberry RIM Playbook
RIM recently revealed their entry into the tablet market with the RIM Playbook at the Blackberry Developers Conference in San Francisco. The RIM Playbook won’t be available until early 2011 but by RIM releasing a sneak peak of their entry into this market will certainly create some interest for those in the market for a tablet device.
The RIM Playbook has a 7 inch screen, 1 GB of memory which is 4 times the amount of the iPad currently. It also comes with a 1Ghz duel core processor which is faster than current processors.
Where it stands out and certainly from the iPad crowd is the addition of dual HD cameras, one in front and the other in the back. It has HD video recording ability and an HDMI output which is very cool if you take HD video with it and then you can display it with the majority of LCD and LED monitors or televisions that are available today.
The RIM Playbook comes with support for Flash which has sparked a lot of controversy, especially with Apple’s position to not support Flash on either the iPhone or iPad platforms. There is also support for WMA, ACC and MP3. The operating system is new and is called QNX Neutrino which is a company RIM purchased.
No word is out on the storage capacity of the RIM Playbook has been revealed as of yet, but considering that the cameras can record in HD it can somewhat be guessed that anything less than an entry model could probably come in at 32GB. It would be easy to then look potentially at 3 storage capacity levels with 32GB being the first, 64GB and then 128GB.
No word on pricing when the RIM Playbook was revealed however there are speculators that fall into two camps; it has to be the same price or cheaper than the current iPad or it will be more expensive. Considering that the device will have features that are not in the current iPad speculation of matching the iPad price or lower may be just that; speculation.
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
Search Engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing employ technologies that index websites and their associated content across the internet. SEO is the combination of many things, from the strategy of the website, the content that is within it and traditional SEO efforts such as meta strategies to name a few.
Gaining rank position to the first page of search results is a priority for any website no matter its intended purpose. Often businesses desire for immediate results on the search engines and often this means employing tactics that within the respectable SEO community are not endorsed.
The dangers of employing any form of search engine trickery is that the possibility of your website being penalized are greater. Your site may lose its initial ranking and in a worse case scenario can even be banned.
Duplicate Content – this is the most common form of trickery and is often associated with landing pages that are trying to focus on a particular local market area. As an example, if your business is located in Toronto your entire site may be focused from an SEO perspective on the Toronto area. But you also want to market to the other areas that surround Toronto. So you create landing pages associated to Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill and other surrounding communities with narrative that is similar in fashion to that which is across your main website. But rather than create unique content specific to those landing pages all you have done is copied the exact same narrative and changed the title tags of the page, the headers and obviously the location.
Eventually not only will your users who have found you figure out your not really creating dynamic and unique content, the search engines will eventually figure out you have created duplicate content and thusly the penalty will be lowered rankings on the search engines.
Stuffing Keywords – simply making a list of the keywords you think you should be found on the search engines and placing them on the website either as a massive internal linking list or not is still keyword stuffing. This is like making a virtual party pizza of all of the toppings you could ever imagine on a pizza and throwing them on thinking you have created something awesome. Same applies to keywords. While you would like to be found on the search engines for all possible keywords associated to your website; it is not going to happen ever.
Invisible Text – there are still websites that do this. Some sites don’t even care if the keywords are invisible. They are normally buried down at the footer (bottom) of a particular web page. The search engines have long figured out this tactic and is not normally employed by those who are trying to circumvent good SEO techniques and strategy.
Silentblast Interactive - Toronto Web Design
Canadian owned and operated, Silentblast is a professional web design and development company in Toronto serving small and mid-sized companies in the GTA, Brampton, Vaughan, North York, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Silentblast also develops mobile web site design and development and mobile applications for the iPhone and other mobile phone platforms.
Website – www.silentblast.com
Silentblast Blog – www.silentblast.com/blog
Twitter – http://twitter.com/silentblast
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