We all know that Apple regained power with the introduction of the iPod. Techno-junkies, those who must 
have the latest and greatest personal electronic gadget, have allowed Apple to develop a whole new market outside of traditional computing. This steadily growing segment of the consumer population has demonstrated the power of their addiction by lining up for hours just to purchase an iPhone. With the growth of “cloud computing,” Web 2.0 and “software as a service,” among other internet-related technologies and services that allow users to perform functions online that were once restricted to the desktop, computer and technology companies are offering consumers a multitude of inexpensive personal device and computing options, like the ASUS Eee 900HA 8.9 inch Netbook PC for around $300. So what do we learn here? Consumers, unlike businesses, are generally “desire” motivated when it comes to technology purchases and Apple’s competitors have caught on. Marketing strategies will most likely bring advertisers profits if they can continue to successfully arouse the desire in consumers. Even in a challanging economy, being productive while having fun (and the newest gadget on the block) is a nice way to weather the storm ;)
StumbleUpon.com’s Discovery and Visibility Benefits
Recently I stumbled upon StumbleUpon.com. Membership is free and has its advantages. It is a combination of social networking and researching. Anyone (including you) with the ‘StumbleUpon’ toolbar installed can recommend a web page they like by clicking the ‘thumbs up’ button located in the toolbar at the upper left of their browser. When you click on the ‘StumbleUpon’ button in the toolbar you’ll be brought to a page other people in the network thought was interesting. The pages delivered to you represent those receiving the most amount of ‘thumbs up’ clicks from viewers in your interest category. Stumble, unlike Google, is visual. You see a web page, which helps you to decide if you want to visit it.
Now, what would happen if one of YOUR web pages got stumbled? Well, if lots of people give it the ‘thumbs up’, you can be seen by literally thousands of people in a single day. You want to get “stumbled” so it’s a good idea to keep your web pages current, informative, engaging, and a pleasure to interact with.
Key to Successful Advertising on Social Networking Sites
In a recent New York Times article Advertisers Face Hurdles on Social Networking Sites, writer Randall Stross expresses the challenges faced by Advertisers to attract and convert customers with social advertising. Primarily users are there to socialize with their friends not interact with brands. According to Stross, to get users to participate Crest had to offer enticements such as free movie screenings. It worked but the benefits were short lived.
So the question remains: how do you move a user away from his chosen social activity to engage with your brand? Give him something for free? Give him a game to play or a video to watch? Perhaps. But branding doesn’t necessarily require immediate engagement to work.
Weigh the “Costs” of Hosting Your Site Carefully
Selecting a hosting company is a critical component to your online success. In addition to cost, there are factors to consider that have a direct bearing on
- performance
- customer service
- reliability and…
- adaptability.
Provided your developer is equipped and qualified as a web hosting provider, hosting with your developer offers great advantages even though the cost per month is generally higher.
There is nothing that can take the place of peace of mind, knowing your website is in capable hands and that you have access to the individual managing it. A hosting issue that cripples your website can have dire impact on sales and revenue generating opportunities. Hosting with your developer saves you time, which really means money, by ensuring your questions and concerns are dealt with in a personal, skillful and timely manner by an individual who is intimate with the structure and details of your site.
Personal Blog Versus Corporate Blog
Blogging is a great way to keep connected with your customers and to let others know who you are and the level of expertise they can expect from you and your company. A blog is what you’re reading now – a journal of sorts where you share virtually anything you want from serious matters such as your views on changes in government policy to helpful items like a new service, tool or way of accomplishing something you discovered. In order to get the most mileage out of blogging, and to keep your personal views separate from your company’s, you can have a personal blog where you express your own views and a corporate blog that officially represents your company.
