From our desks:
Mobile Pages
Seems like we've reached the tipping point. In addition to your main website, a less graphic version, built especially for the small screens of cell phones, allows easy access to your visitors on the go. Check the m.net2business.com website for simple, standard features like 1-touch calling and mapping associated with the street address.
QRC: Quick Response Codes
Any time a sign refers to a website for further information, the QRC code is a short-cut that can take a cell phone user right there. The QRC is read by Smart phones using the bar code reader function. Already in wide-spread use in Japan, the Quick response Code is available as a backup to any website.
Smarter Stats:
Net2Business® routinely monitors customer stats when we refresh search listings monthly. The sections that track referring sites and the search string used to find your site (part of the monthly detail available online 24/7) have recently been improved. With this upgrade, Curt added custom tracking features. We can track each visitor from referring source to exit, together with the path taken through the site and the amount of time spent per page. If you are interested in a full analysis, contact your Net2Business account manager.
From the Marketing Desk: Search Engine Update
Google:
This search engine receives 35.1100% of all search engine requests (112 million/day). Since it works by relevance and accepts free requests for listings, Net2Business can still offer a great degree of success in optimizing your key words and phrases for this site. Plus, it is possible to buy what they call AdWords. Based on the search phrase, your box ad can show up to the right of the results. Limited research indicates that the paid AdWords are less effective than top placement in the search results, but they remain a cost-effective way to make your link available by topic. Google's recent partnership with Overture* also makes it possible to buy your way into a top-3 position directly by bidding for it on the KeyWord Auction site.
YAHOO!
Is still the standby, receiving 32% of Search engine traffic. The original directory has corrupted its search by taking money every way it can. If you were fortunate enough to get listed 2 or more years ago, when listings were free but very slow, you probably want to practice benign neglect. If you bought your way in last year, you will be forced to pay every year, or be bumped from the directory. But all is not lost, since few actually use the directory. Most of us type our Key Words in to the search box, instead. And guess what? The results that are returned are sponsored by Google and Overture*!
*BING
Microsoft's newest player is heavily advertising and gaining ground - apparently from YAHOO! and smaller players. The numbers are still less than 10% of all searches, but the trend is upwards. Some established accounts have appeared in this search, but with old data. Updates are strongly recommended.