A few days ago a local TV news story talked about a new "search engine" called Wolfram Alpha which some people have claimed to be a "Google killer." Really?? Could it be that Google, the Goliath of search engine world, has finally met a true rival? In curiosity, I visited Wolfram Alpha and gave it a few runs on search terms, only to be disappointed. Entering terms such as "how to drive a car", "chicken tikka masala" and even my fave -- "American Idol" -- all churned out the same result: "Wolfram|Alpha isn't sure what to do with your input." Hmm...let's try that again with "How to defeat Google" and we get the same result: "Wolfram|Alpha isn't sure what to do with your input."
However, if you enter simple definition-like terms such as "Honolulu", you immediately get information about the term such as population, weather, and geographic location without having to search through a litany of links for an exact explanation of the capital of Hawaii. Try entering in "July 4, 2009" and you get this information about how many months and days away it is, as well as predicted sunrise and sunset and the fact that it's Independence Day.
It's safe to say that if you are looking for an exact or even computed answer to a single item, Wolfram Alpha may be your direct link to an answer without having to click a link. I'd hardly call it a "Google killer" at this stage. However, if Wolfram Alpha could eventually provide precise answers to search phrases or even questions the way the ask.com search engine attempted to do years ago, Wolfram Alpha may eventually be the Achilles heel that Google must watch out for.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
CDC Backs Coverage of Swine Flu by Social Media
In addition to news stories, social media websites have become valuable tools for rapid spread of news information. According to CNN, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is glad for the amount of healthy conversation and news dissemination like Facebook and Twitter regarding the swine flu outbreak.
It seems every time I turn on the tv news this week, the swine flu and the latest cases cropping up all around California and the U.S. make the headlines. Not to diminish the magnitude of the flu contagion (and let's remember that all strains of flu take tens of thousands of lives each year in the U.S.), but sometimes IMHO news sensationalism is a pestilence in itself, only aggravating the mental and emotional states of readers and viewers.
This is where social media now seems to play a health counterbalance when intaking news stories. Whether or not online conversation further fuels the fire, interestingly I've noticed the opposite approach by news agencies over the swine flu. I've noticed people online are expressing discontent with the increasing number of stories about a disease that is treatable, but news stations and media seem to be driving more fear into viewers' minds.
Whereas it used to be that people absorbed what they saw or heard on news and then discussed it offline at their next meeting at work, over lunch or by phone, having healthy discussions with other people in rapid time such as social media can help add much needed perspective and education to a conversation.
How have you used social media to add discussion or perspective to hot news topics?
It seems every time I turn on the tv news this week, the swine flu and the latest cases cropping up all around California and the U.S. make the headlines. Not to diminish the magnitude of the flu contagion (and let's remember that all strains of flu take tens of thousands of lives each year in the U.S.), but sometimes IMHO news sensationalism is a pestilence in itself, only aggravating the mental and emotional states of readers and viewers.
This is where social media now seems to play a health counterbalance when intaking news stories. Whether or not online conversation further fuels the fire, interestingly I've noticed the opposite approach by news agencies over the swine flu. I've noticed people online are expressing discontent with the increasing number of stories about a disease that is treatable, but news stations and media seem to be driving more fear into viewers' minds.
Whereas it used to be that people absorbed what they saw or heard on news and then discussed it offline at their next meeting at work, over lunch or by phone, having healthy discussions with other people in rapid time such as social media can help add much needed perspective and education to a conversation.
How have you used social media to add discussion or perspective to hot news topics?
Friday, March 27, 2009
Five Tips for Increasing your Website's Visibility
Are you having trouble getting readers to visit your website for your organization or business? Perhaps the problem isn't as much with your site as whether or not readers can find it. Below are today's five tips for increasing your website's visibility so that visitors or clients can find you.
Tip #1: Social Networking
The Internet has truly made stronger connections between people, and with the advent of social networks like Facebook and MySpace, that connection has become even tighter. According to a recent Nielsen Online report, social networks are the top destination of online users globally and the spectrum of people signing up for social networks spans the gamut from youth to baby boomers. People enjoy connecting with each other online when they don't see each other offline during their busy daily lives.
So, now is the time to get your organization and business on it. Aside from the fact that joining any of those networks is free, the number of people audience online that you can reach (even people you may not even have yet heard about the benefits of your organization or service) is too great to pass up. I myself have over 400+ connections alone on my social networks who, at any given time, I can inform about the latest and greatest going on with me and my work. That means that if someone is busy with a new project and suddenly thinks of needing a web designer, the first thought may likely be "hey, I know someone who does websites" and voila, instant phone call!
Remember that you don't have to post everything about your organization or business on a social network because social networks act like 'open books' on the Web. Just sharing enough to create a 'buzz' and then funneling that buzz using a link to your website is good enough.
Tip #2: It's Time to Blog
Everyone has a voice that wants to be heard -- not just from the individual but also by their audience -- and every organization or business has some expertise in their own areas to share with readers. A web log (or "blog" for short) is an easy way to share your knowledge or expertise online with readers and increase your audience (both current and new) for your website.
Some websites already have built-in blogs, but if you don't already have a blog for your website, you can sign up for one for free at Blogger or Wordpress (two of the most popular blog services).
How much should you blog? Usually having 3/4 of a page is optimal, but I would suggest 3 paragraphs at a minimum. And for those who are short on time, I recommend just a half-hour out of your entire week to blog to start. Case in point: I currently have a client who started blogging and got higher search engine rankings as part of his efforts to increase his audience.
The fact is that, behind social networks, blogs are the #2 favorite destination of online readers today. So make that trip to enter the "blogosphere".
Tip #3: Search Engine Rankings
If you rely on visitors finding you from major search engines like Google or Yahoo and you've seen a drop from that route, perhaps it's time to see where you are currently in the search engine rankings. Was your website once on page 2 but now on page 5? Does your website even show up in the first 3 pages of your favorite search engine? To find out what page your website shows up on in Google, here's a free tool you can visit.
Knowing someone experienced in search engine optimization (maybe someone you know personally as you read this entry?) is important if you want bring readers to your website and boost your search engine rankings. My honest opinion is that many clients pay far too much for search engine marketing when a professional with a good amount of similar experience and armed with the basic knowledge can do the same job.
As an example, I once had two clients who looked at having a big company boost their rankings in a major search engine. The first client decided to use the company while the second client (on a tigher budget) gave me the opportunity. In the end, my 2nd client wound up higher than the first client for a fraction of the cost.
Does it take magic? Despite what some companies will have readers think, the answer is no. It's just a matter of knowing the rules when it comes to search engine ranking and optimization. Let's face it: Google and Yahoo were brainchilds of erudite Stanford University graduates and if a marketer tells you they have a secret, proprietary formula for getting you on page one and outsmarting these Stanford grads, well...
Now, for some free tips on how to increase your search engine rankings without magic, see my previous entry "Five Tips for Better Search Engine Rankings".
Tip #4: Consider Video
In January, the immensely popular video website YouTube eclipsed 100 million U.S. visitors per month. This merely demonstrates the attraction that video has these days on readers. Even the President understands this clearly when he delivers his presidential addresses and State of the Union online. Thus, people like to spend time on websites containing video.
Video also allows a personal face on your organization and a personable touch, and anyone can do it easily with a web camera and free services like YouTube and Blip.tv. However, if you are planning on video for a business, I would recommend using a professional video camera or digital camera in a room with proper lighting and sound. (It's not as professional if you're talking about your $10,000 platinum stapler from your bedroom where everyone can see your bedspread, wall art and furniture.)
Tip #5: Email Marketing
The phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' still rings true. When you have services or products to offer, consider abandoning the personal text email for a more professional-looking email newsletter. Many businesses, from small photo studios to big box stores like Target, use email marketing and some even use such newsletters to send out coupons and discounts.
I usually recommend organizations sending newsletters at least once per month to stay in the minds of their readers or clients. And when you write an email newsletter, write just enough to entice ("tease") your readers and then provide a link back to your website for the full story.
So there you have it, five ways to increase the power of your website in reaching new readers and clients on a small budget. Have I missed anything? Let me know!
----
(c) 2009, Design ForSite. Everyone knows a copy cat is bad taste, so enjoy the above and please don't cut and paste. Posts may not be copied, published, retransmitted, rewritten, or publicly performed without express written permission of the author.
Tip #1: Social Networking
The Internet has truly made stronger connections between people, and with the advent of social networks like Facebook and MySpace, that connection has become even tighter. According to a recent Nielsen Online report, social networks are the top destination of online users globally and the spectrum of people signing up for social networks spans the gamut from youth to baby boomers. People enjoy connecting with each other online when they don't see each other offline during their busy daily lives.
So, now is the time to get your organization and business on it. Aside from the fact that joining any of those networks is free, the number of people audience online that you can reach (even people you may not even have yet heard about the benefits of your organization or service) is too great to pass up. I myself have over 400+ connections alone on my social networks who, at any given time, I can inform about the latest and greatest going on with me and my work. That means that if someone is busy with a new project and suddenly thinks of needing a web designer, the first thought may likely be "hey, I know someone who does websites" and voila, instant phone call!
Remember that you don't have to post everything about your organization or business on a social network because social networks act like 'open books' on the Web. Just sharing enough to create a 'buzz' and then funneling that buzz using a link to your website is good enough.
Tip #2: It's Time to Blog
Everyone has a voice that wants to be heard -- not just from the individual but also by their audience -- and every organization or business has some expertise in their own areas to share with readers. A web log (or "blog" for short) is an easy way to share your knowledge or expertise online with readers and increase your audience (both current and new) for your website.
Some websites already have built-in blogs, but if you don't already have a blog for your website, you can sign up for one for free at Blogger or Wordpress (two of the most popular blog services).
How much should you blog? Usually having 3/4 of a page is optimal, but I would suggest 3 paragraphs at a minimum. And for those who are short on time, I recommend just a half-hour out of your entire week to blog to start. Case in point: I currently have a client who started blogging and got higher search engine rankings as part of his efforts to increase his audience.
The fact is that, behind social networks, blogs are the #2 favorite destination of online readers today. So make that trip to enter the "blogosphere".
Tip #3: Search Engine Rankings
If you rely on visitors finding you from major search engines like Google or Yahoo and you've seen a drop from that route, perhaps it's time to see where you are currently in the search engine rankings. Was your website once on page 2 but now on page 5? Does your website even show up in the first 3 pages of your favorite search engine? To find out what page your website shows up on in Google, here's a free tool you can visit.
Knowing someone experienced in search engine optimization (maybe someone you know personally as you read this entry?) is important if you want bring readers to your website and boost your search engine rankings. My honest opinion is that many clients pay far too much for search engine marketing when a professional with a good amount of similar experience and armed with the basic knowledge can do the same job.
As an example, I once had two clients who looked at having a big company boost their rankings in a major search engine. The first client decided to use the company while the second client (on a tigher budget) gave me the opportunity. In the end, my 2nd client wound up higher than the first client for a fraction of the cost.
Does it take magic? Despite what some companies will have readers think, the answer is no. It's just a matter of knowing the rules when it comes to search engine ranking and optimization. Let's face it: Google and Yahoo were brainchilds of erudite Stanford University graduates and if a marketer tells you they have a secret, proprietary formula for getting you on page one and outsmarting these Stanford grads, well...
Now, for some free tips on how to increase your search engine rankings without magic, see my previous entry "Five Tips for Better Search Engine Rankings".
Tip #4: Consider Video
In January, the immensely popular video website YouTube eclipsed 100 million U.S. visitors per month. This merely demonstrates the attraction that video has these days on readers. Even the President understands this clearly when he delivers his presidential addresses and State of the Union online. Thus, people like to spend time on websites containing video.
Video also allows a personal face on your organization and a personable touch, and anyone can do it easily with a web camera and free services like YouTube and Blip.tv. However, if you are planning on video for a business, I would recommend using a professional video camera or digital camera in a room with proper lighting and sound. (It's not as professional if you're talking about your $10,000 platinum stapler from your bedroom where everyone can see your bedspread, wall art and furniture.)
Tip #5: Email Marketing
The phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' still rings true. When you have services or products to offer, consider abandoning the personal text email for a more professional-looking email newsletter. Many businesses, from small photo studios to big box stores like Target, use email marketing and some even use such newsletters to send out coupons and discounts.
I usually recommend organizations sending newsletters at least once per month to stay in the minds of their readers or clients. And when you write an email newsletter, write just enough to entice ("tease") your readers and then provide a link back to your website for the full story.
So there you have it, five ways to increase the power of your website in reaching new readers and clients on a small budget. Have I missed anything? Let me know!
----
(c) 2009, Design ForSite. Everyone knows a copy cat is bad taste, so enjoy the above and please don't cut and paste. Posts may not be copied, published, retransmitted, rewritten, or publicly performed without express written permission of the author.
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