Surf's Up: I might just be watching you!

It's interesting to see trends emerging and one I've started to notice lately is sites using GPS.

The first sites that used GPS were for geocaching - "an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world". These sites have been around since May 2000. These sites require the user to have a GPS device.

Now with more smartphones and PDA's with GPS available to the user I've been finding new sites that let people know your location, a location of a picture you've taken and even the location of things around you in real time.

Here are some interesting sites I’ve come across and some I have used and rememeber - I might just be watching you!:


http://www.brightkite.com/
"Location-based social networking - Discover who visits your favorite places. Join the community in real time."
About:N/A currently in private beta
Account Type:N/A currently in private beta



http://www.ipoki.com/
"Ipoki lets you get the most of your GPS by connecting you with others to share geolocation information. Anyone can join Ipoki and everyone can share their location with their friends."
About:Ipoki has a mobile client available for certain phones - please check the site for a full list of supported haddsets.
Account Type:Free



http://www.bliin.com/
"bliin YourLIVE! is dedicated to creating a fluid social network for sharing personal experiences - photos, videos, sound & text - in real-time, located on a world map."
About:Blinn has a mobile client available for certain phones - please check the site for a full list of supported haddsets. It also has software for PC and Mac users.
Account Type:Free



http://www.livecontacts.com/
"livecontacts let's you know where your friends are. Stay in touch via your PDA or smartphone with GPS positioning"
About:Livecontacts has a mobile client available for certain phones - please check the site for a full list of supported haddsets.
Account Type:Free



http://fireeagle.yahoo.net/
"We're here to make the whole web respond to your location and help you to discover more about the world around you."
About:N/A currently in private beta
Account Type:N/A currently in private beta



http://www.gypsii.com/
"GyPSii allows users to share their real life experiences in the virtual world using mobile devices and the web."
About:GyPSii has a mobile client available for certain phones - please check the site for a full list of supported haddsets.
Account Type: Free



http://www.panoramio.com/
"Photos of the world. Locate your photos where they were taken"
About: Panoramio allows users to upload photo and map them to a location. Some new camera's have built-in GPS receivers which store the location of the picture automatically using EXIF - so users can just upload the photo and the site does the rest.
Account Type: Free


Please note: although sites are free to use if you use the mobile client you will be charged for data by your phone provider.

I hope you've enjoyed looking through these great sites. Look out for future Surf's Up features where I'll be looking at the internet and what it has to offer. If you want to keep track of sites I find follow me on twitter @kunji.

Kunji

Surf's Up: From desktop to browser

I’ve noticed a change creeping in more and more, a change I said would come about quite a while ago and a change that’s been in the minds of many for quite some time now.

The idea of going from a desktop application to an online application has grown and applications are popping up around the web (literally going from desktop to browser).

But why use an online application rather than a desktop application?

• Access from anywhere
  Websites can be accessed from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection so why not an online application? The ability to view files and edit them directly online without the worry of installing an application on the desktop saves time and hassle.



• Sharing and collaborating
  This is one of the many features that is so exciting about online applications. Currently versions of documents are sent around via email for one person to read and amend, whereas online (in some applications) you can get everyone to join in from different locations to share and collaborate in real time.



• Publish and use your work
  The online versions of your work can be saved as files that are available to download and use. Some online applications allow you to easily embed your document into other online resources such as wikis, blogs and websites.



• Platform independent
  Most of the online applications are platform independent, meaning that PC and Mac users can work together. Development within the browser means that the application is platform independent and will work as long as a browser is available.



• Simple to use
  We can all use Word (Microsoft Office) and online applications are just as simple too. No expertise really needed, if you can use any desktop application then the online application is no different.



• Value for money
  Most of the online applications are available free as long as you setup an account. Upgrades are available for more advanced features in most so you can try before you buy.

Here are some interesting applications I’ve come across and used, all have their merits and all are online:


http://www.mindmeister.com/
“Brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions.”
About: Mindmeister focuses on the concept of collaboration allowing users to real-time brainstorm at different locations. It also integrates with Skype calls allowing discussions and mapping at the same time. It has offline functionality as well.
Built Using: Ajax, Javascript, DHTML
Account Type: Basic (free limited account), Premium ($4+ monthly paid account)



http://www.mindomo.com/
“Create, edit mind maps, and share them with your colleagues or your friends.”
About: Mindomo has an office inspired look that makes it easy to pickup and start using. It also offers loads of customisation allowing users to change colours, fonts, icons, etc.
Built Using: Flash
Account Type: Basic (free limited account), Premium ($6+ monthly paid account)



http://www.mind42.com/
“Keep track of all your ideas, whether alone, with colleagues and friends or working together with the whole world.”
About: Mind42 focus is based around the ability to collaborate. It also has a variety of useful features which includes the ability to zoom.
Built Using: Ajax, Javascript, HTML
Account Type: Free



http://www.bubbl.us/
“A simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online.”
About: Bubbl.us is simply brainstorming online. It also has great keyboard shortcuts making it easy to use without the use of your mouse.
Built Using: Flash
Account Type: Free



http://www.writemaps.com/
“Free web-based tool that allows you to create, edit, and share sitemaps online”
About: WriteMaps is a tool that is primarily used for creating sitemaps. It also has great keyboard shortcuts making it easy to use without the use of your mouse.
Built Using: Ajax, Javascript, HTML
Account Type: Free



http://www.gliffy.com/
“Flow charts, diagrams and floor plans are easy with Gliffy”
About: Gliffy has been noted as possibly being the ‘Visio killer’. It has a variety of diagrams you can create from flow charts to floor plans.
Built Using: Flash
Account Type: Basic (free limited account), Premium ($30+ yearly paid account)



http://www.flowchart.com/
“Flowchart.com offers you a way to create your flowchart online.”
About: Flowchart.com is currently in private beta. The demo shows a nice looking interface but we’ll have to wait and see.
Built Using: N/A currently in private beta
Account Type: N/A currently in private beta



http://www.thinkfree.com/
“Free online alternative to Microsoft Office”
About: Think Free is an online alternative to Microsoft Office. It has some nice features and looks rather nice too.
Built Using: Java, Ajax, HTML
Account Type: Basic (free limited account), Premium (free during beta)



http://docs.google.com/
“Create and share your work online”
About: Google Docs is obviously created by Google (who else). It has features similar to some Microsoft Office applications.
Built Using: Javascript, Ajax, HTML
Account Type: Free



http://www.zoho.com/
“Office productivity suite”
About: Zoho has a vast variety of tools. Zoho has a nice interface making it easy to use and a variety of features available online. It has offline functionality as well.
Built Using: Javascript, Ajax, HTML
Account Type: Free, Paid (contact zoho for pricing)



http://www.picnik.com/
“Make your photos fabulous with easy to use yet powerful editing tools.”
About: Picnik is a great for image manipulation. It has a variety of options to help you edit your pictures.
Built Using: Flash
Account Type: Basic (free limited account), Premium ($24.95+ yearly paid account)



http://www.onlinephototool.com/
“You can edit and save your images, screenshots and photos online.”
About: Online photo tool does exactly what it says. It has a variety of options to help you edit your pictures.
Built Using: Java
Account Type: Free


I hope you've enjoyed looking through these great sites. Look out for future Surf's Up features where I'll be looking at the internet and what it has to offer. If you want to keep track of sites I find follow me on twitter @kunji.

Kunji

Top 10 simple ways to improve conversions

In the spirit of our recent ‘top 10 lists’ (maybe we should get Jimmy Carr to record them as a podcast!) I have been thinking about simple ways you can improve your eCommerce website. So here goes….a simple guide that will help you convert your customers:

1) User trigger words to excite your customers

People tend to spend very little time reading web pages. Instead, we scan them, looking for words or phrases that catch our eye. Of course, there are exceptions, but if the copy is longer than a few paragraphs, we’re more likely to print it out. We scan because we’re usually in a hurry, we know that we don’t really need to read everything and we’ve become good at it – we’ve been scanning newspapers and magazines most of our lives!

So, we tend to focus on words and phrases that seem to match the task at hand. This is why we must carefully consider the trigger words and ensure that they are visible, because if we ignore them, then the customer is likely to leave and go to a site that they think better matches their needs.

Words like ‘free’, ‘sale’, ‘discount are an example of these type of words. It’s also important that if a customer arrives on your site having used a search term, then that search term must be seen on the page.

2) Call to Actions (CTA)

If you don’t ask someone to do something, then what are the chances of them doing it? It is essential that you present your customers with CTA’s that are visible and meaningful. Avoid overuse of clichés like ‘click here’, ‘read more and ‘find out more’ and make them more descriptive and persuasive.

3) Spend as much as you can afford on product images

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words. The web is a perfect example of this. A high quality photograph of a product you are trying to sell will be worth its weight in gold. 83% of eBay shoppers skip listings without images, while those with super-size photos show a 24% spike in sales.

Skimping on images will not work. If you’ve got a huge product line, make sure at the very least that the top-selling lines/products come with top quality imagery. It will also work in B2B as well. If you want someone to download a report, show a cover of the report. Make it more interesting for the user. Engage them.

4) Consider you headlines

The headline on your page is the one thing that 80% of our visitors will read. Be sure that they are clear, relevant and engaging. Test them. Optimise them. Don’t be afraid to change them.

5) Don’t be afraid of reviews

Every trade website or magazine these days seems to have a ‘site review’ in it. They are often judged very subjectively and are a trend in a market that is now demanding transparency and a voice. You mustn’t be afraid of a bad review though, because they will not necessarily lead to a downturn in business. What you must do though is bear them in mind, take any emotion out of the equation and act on any sound advice (always ask for a second opinion from someone if you disagree with the comments!).

6) Oil the wheels of the checkout process

The battle is far from over when you’ve got the customer to the checkout. You’ve now got to get them out the other side in a happy state. Eliminate all unnecessary steps, let them know that the process is secure, remind them what they are buying and don’t annoy them with too much upselling!

7) Don’t just satisfy, delight!

Customer service online isn’t just what happens after the products have been shipped. During the buying process they will invariably be a multitude of questions that are raised. Try and answer these questions before your customers thinks of them and incorporate these into the selling process. By reassuring your customers at all stages, you are much more likely to build a long-term relationship with them.

8) Test Test and Test again

A/B or multivariate testing can be time consuming but it can also have a dramatic effect on your conversion rates. The range of things you can test is wide – CTA’s, copy, layouts etc – but you don’t have to test everything at once. Write down the top-5 things that concern you about your site and start there.

9) Ask for feedback

You must listen to your customers and offer them the opportunity to give you feedback. You’ll be surprised at how helpful and how much effort your customers will put in to this. Don’t be afraid of negative feedback but do make sure that you act upon it.

10) All your customers are different

Your customers will all be at different stages of the buying process and you must address this. The failure of websites to consider this can severely hamper the sales process. Persona planning is a great way to counter this. You build up a bank of customer personas and then test the user journeys according to each one. This is a great way of ensuring that all needs are considered and met before you go live. You must be in tune with your customers and flexible enough to react accordingly.

The bottom line is that site optimisation needs to be a constant evolutionary process. A website is not a static entity and the behaviours of your customers also do not remain static. It is how you react to this that can make or break your online business.

Michael Brandreth

Spencer's top tips for website success in 2008!

2008 looks to be a challenging year, so I've put together my top 10 tips for ensuring your website's success in 2008. And it needn't be a whole new website if that's not what you want, although a new look never hurt anyone! You could just enhance your current site with a few choice features to give it that something special to set you apart from your competition.

Remember, to remain competitive on the internet DO TODAY what your competition will do tomorrow!

Can you tick all the boxes below? I can! And our new website that went live in November has already led to loads of new business enquiries!

If you don't understand any of what we're saying, then call us and we can explain, you need to know and understand what we are telling you to remain competitive online.

Make these your business New Year's resolutions!


THE LIST

1. Web 2.0 style redesign (make sure your site is fully designed in CSS)

If your website hasn’t been redesignd in 12 months, it needs an update! Internet trends have changed, business to business or business to consumer websites are all changing in design.

2. Add a tag cloud to your website search

Websites are now using tagging more and more as a way to label up content, add a tag cloud, you’ll see one on http://www.bluhalo.com/, click ‘spencer’ to see an example of how it works (all the resulting articles or products from a search can be tagged by you or your website customers!




3. Add a fat footer!

Add a fat footer to your website to increase usability, they are simple to build! They’re very en vogue and encourage click throughs around your website…




4. Add a Podcast – it's no longer a gimmick but a valuable business tool!

Bluhalo now has our very own recording studio to produce podcasts. Want customers to listen you or someone talk about your products or services? Podcasts can be played through your website as well as itunes and emailed to your customers directly to deliver regular updates.




5. GET A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY! – a WHAT?

Ensure your customers can add your content to their social bookmarking sites! Its not only good for your natural search results but also good for syndicating out your content, look at the bottom of every Bluhalo story, click the ‘share with’ button, even the BBC uses this, do you?




6. RSS and ATOM News Feeds

Is your website content available for distribution?




7. Add a blog today

Google likes websites whose content is updated regularly through news and blogs. It takes about two days for Google to update Wordpress and Blogger.com blog stories, get Bluhalo to put a blog on your website!




8. Create a show reel or video piece to bring your business alive…

Bluhalo now has access to a wide range of video services – it’s exciting, it’s cool to watch and it adds a new facet to your brand.




9. Create a first phase mobile website.

Get your content onto a mobile site, regardless of whether or not the iphone and Opera revolution will negate the need to a mobile sites in the future, there is nothing to say. This is now.

10. HTML Email Newsletters

If you do are not currently sending your customers at least one nicely designed email html a month because you don’t have the time, then let us do it for you!

Most of the above can be implemented with modest budgets… but could make a world of difference.

If you want to know more, you can speak to Spencer, Michael, Vim, David, Simon or Rob and we can point you in the right direction for your business! (You can call on 01252 70 11 11 or contact us online.)