It’s here and it’s receiving a lot of press attention around the globe – what are we talking about? Google+  Google’s new social networking experiment is taking the net by storm and everyone in the tech media is talking about it. In the marketing world people are already questioning how they can leverage the new social network for their brand and help get a “+1” for their site, products and services.

Google themselves even say that “With a single click you can recommend that raincoat, news article or favorite sci-fi movie to friends, contacts and the rest of the world. The next time your connections search, they could see your +1’s directly in their search results, helping them find your recommendations when they’re most useful.”

So it definitely an exciting new tool for people to recommend your site to their friends, family or coworkers. Think of it as similar to sharing and liking something on Facebook, except the focus is not about friends and building followers, but sharing information and recommendations.

“To the naked eye, it seems all about bringing more traffic to web publishers, but in reality it is all about business” – Frank Watson, Search Engine Watch.

One of the thoughts about the new project is the possibility is Google uses the +1 recommendations to rank pages in the search results – this could be huge to all sites in the search engine. Of course this is not certain, but it could possibly be a route they take down the road. This will likely be watched with close attention. Google has even written information about the +1 button to webmasters and explain that “Google may use to determine a page’s relevance and ranking”  http://www.google.com/webmasters/+1/button/index.html so this could very much be a possibility.

As you can see from the below screenshot, a simple search for “Orlando Real Estate” brings Realtor.com as the first organic result and it includes the Google +1 button.

By clicking on the +1 button it allows you to recommend the link to the world! Remember +1’s are public and therefore be mindful on what you decide is worthy of you hitting the +1 button.

The big question is how will +1 effect a sites traffic? Well, personalized annotations next to your page in the search results may increase the odds that those who have searched go to your page as they may see that you have a following and others have liked your site. This is another way of building your brands image and brand loyalty

As for +1 with WordPress, there are plugins rolling out that are incorporating the button on WordPress sites. Using the +1 button can be a great way to get positive reviews and build trust with future and current customers.

While the office is quiet this weekend we’re slaving away in anticipation for the new WordPress 3.2 update due any day now.

Our servers have passed with “flying colors” and our hosted clients are able to safely upgrade to WordPress 3.2 – as always follow the upgrade instructions carefully AND be sure to back up your database and file structure BEFORE you begin the upgrade.

If you would like our techs to upgrade your WordPress blog installation please open a support ticket and we will get you on the schedule.

Thanks and have an awesome 4th!!!

QR Codes are all the rage today in many industries – in particular the real estate business. More and more companies are using QR codes to engage consumers and help promote their products. If you don’t know QR Code are two dimensional barcodes that are gaining a lot of traction for marketing as they can be scanned by an appropriate app on a smart phone which gives access to hidden information or a link to a webpage.

However, due to their popularity and as QR codes are being printed everywhere, perhaps now is the time to take a step back and look at the right and wrong ways to use QR Codes.

The Right Way

1. Use them in your print marketing campaigns – Do you advertise in magazines? Use flyers, posters or physical banners? Include a QR Code on these to add another level of marketing to drive traffic to your online presence.

2. Have your QR Code link to a mobile optimized page – QR Codes are being read by smart phones so, shouldn’t the web page that users are directed to be a mobile optimized page?

3. Use QR Codes to give users “something extra” – this is clever marketing indeed! By giving someone something “extra” by finding and scanning the QR Code it makes them feel special and can make them feel more inclined to use your services or buy your product.

4. Think of unique ways of using it where people have their phones – if you are in the real estate business, perhaps think about putting a QR Code on a lawn sign in front of a property if the property is in a walkable neighborhood – have the code link to the property listing page! Or how about having one on your stationery? Some people have even had them put on their cars!

5. Educate people – QR Codes are still new technology and not everyone knows what they are – perhaps include a line under it saying “Scan this QR Code with your smart phone” just to show people it will scan for them.

The Wrong Way

1. Using a QR Code on your website – People want to click on a link and are unlikely to scan a QR code which is on your website. QR codes are being scanned by smartphones which have mobile browsers and small screens, so keep this in mind.

2. Generating bar-codes with too much information in them – The more information you have in a bar-code the higher the density of black squares meaning that it is more likely that someone will not be able to scan the QR Code at all making it definitely a wasted effort.

3. Linking to your main website homepage – while not terrible, this really does defeat the object of using this kind of marketing. Users who have bothered to download an app and scan a QR Code want the relevant information immediately and not to then go through your entire site to find what they are looking for.

4. Printing QR Codes too small – people sometimes try to shrink them on their print marketing to save space, but be careful, if the code is too small it might not be scanned. Spend time testing and experimenting before sending your code to print.

One bad example of use is using it on a television commercial which has been reported, the code will not be on screen long enough for someone to get their phone out and scan! Poor use of QR Codes aside, they can be used very successfully in your marketing strategy if thought goes into their implementation.

An exciting possibility these days is where people are using QR Codes on their business cards but these days perhaps business cards are becoming a thing of the past? Check out http://www.qbizmo.com/ launching soon for more!

First it is prudent to give a little potted history of the web and the use of iframes.

When the web was starting out most pages were just text pages. Browsers were text based and the use of graphics as we see today was a futuristic dream! After the arrival of Windows 95 (which really kick started modern computer usage) users became more used to a Graphical User Interface (the GUI) meaning that web browsers had to catch up. Do you remember Netscape Navigator? That pioneered an age where the web was no longer text based but now allowed graphics, colors and shapes.

Now, from this grew the use of frames, frames are a way of piecing together a single web page referencing several web pages to make up that page. The use of iframes grew from this. Today iframes, while an older technology are  still often used as a way for presenting content from another site within the framework of your site. In the case of Real Estate agents – property search pages are often framed in when using an older web site or search technology. Which is generally a bad idea for Realtors and their business.

From the user perspective iframes serve up the required information as you want them to see it, so where is the issue? Well, as the business owner you want to be able to track a user on a site and make sure that you keep their attention to your site as much as possible. Using iframes does not allow this to be done. Imagine the scenario where you go to a Real Estate site and go to a property search page with an framed search function. Suddenly when you click on the search results you are redirected to the individual listing which is an UNBRANDED property page. That is a problem – unbranded property search pages are common and once you have a potential client in to those unbranded pages you have effectively “lost” them from your site.

Those unbranded search pages often have their own menus which of course do not correspond with pages on your site;it’s the unbranded property search. So, in essence you are now unable to track a visitor who has come to your site!

Also many of these iframed property search pages also have the capability for visitors to sign up for email drip programs which will be from that system and not from perhaps the intended system you wanted. These emails will again likely be unbranded and could drive the visitor to other pages. Asides from the extra complication, by this time the visitor has likely forgotten about your site and contacting you!

The iframes therefore have several knock on effects – analytics will suffer, page count will suffer and time on your site will suffer and all of these important measures are used to track the profitability of your site. You can’t manage what you can’t measure.

So, what is the solution? An integrated property search solution that creates dynamic pages within your sites framework and architecture. All of the sites that Arranging Pixels develops use this method which allows better tracking of visitors, looks better due to continuous branding and helps people stay on your site longer.

It has been noticed across all industries that Social Networks and Social Media can be used to help promote a business and naturally increase its sales through a more subtle type of marketing.

Why Should You Add A Facebook/Twitter Icon? What Benefits Do I Get?

If you read out post “5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Facebook Page” then you understand why you need to set up a Facebook page for your business so that you can improve your SEO, Build Customer Loyalty and of course keep customers up to date on your business and its activities. Adding a Facebook icon will allow your site visitors to click to an extension of your brand – your Facebook page.

Twitter of course works in a similar way to Facebook, you “Tweet” updates and allow people to “follow” you and interact with you almost instantaneously. In fact, there have been many controversial news stories involving information released through twitter to the public. So it is indeed a powerful marketing tool when used in the right way to get your message out there and heard.

In fact there has been an increasing trend whereby consumers leave comments reviewing a certain company and their products or complaining on their Facebook and Twitter pages. So being active in your social media can definitely help build a personal relationship between you and your clients.

How Do You Promote Your Social Media Outlets On Your Website?

Using phrases like “Join Me On…” can be a great way to engage a potential customer when combined with a recognizable social networking logo. There are often many different styles of logo these days for each social network. Using the most common version of a particular social media websites logo is often the best practice as it ensures that people will immediately be able to recognize that it relates to a particular site. Consider also how big your social media icons should be.

Where Should I Place My Social Media Icons?

You want to ensure that the placement of the relevant social network icon is both subtle, yet prominently placed as a Call To Action item for people to interact with your business. Think of it as no different to placing an advertisement on your site. You WANT people to click on it and not ignore it.

Of course if your social media icons are buried deep in your site or not in a easy to access place then your efforts to create your own social media following are definitely at a disadvantage. You always want to make sure your icons are “above the fold” – that is in a location which is immediately seen when your homepage is loaded.

Businesses across all industries are now jumping on the Facebook Page bandwagon to establish their online identity, and your company may need to follow suit. As more of your prospects and existing customers become avid Facebook users, having a Facebook Page can help you connect with a whole new group of people and establish some positive relationships. Facebook Pages for businesses are free, and in most cases, take less than an hour to set up. You can even customize your page to include your logo and banner, and create a custom “landing” tab page to highlight a special promotion, sweepstakes or other marketing message.

Here are five reasons why your business needs a Facebook Page:

#1: Keeps Your Business on “Top of Mind”

Since updates to your Facebook Page get pushed out to your fans’ News Feeds instantly, you can indirectly market your business and links to your website – and all for free. Doing this consistently will help to keep your company and brand at “top of mind” for many of your prospective clients. When a client is ready to buy, they may be more likely to get in touch with you just because you’re easily accessible within a few clicks!

#2: To Improve SEO

Google does index Facebook Pages fairly quickly – just make sure you set the settings to “Public”. This can help you capture top listings for certain keywords and phrases on Google, and makes it easier for prospects to find you.

#3: Free Indirect Marketing

If you struggle with reaching out and connecting to your target market, you can use Facebook Pages as an indirect marketing tool to generate business. People don’t like to be bombarded with advertising or marketing messages through email or even direct mail on a regular basis. Fortunately, the psychology behind Facebook marketing is a little different. Your fans have opted in to hear from you. Many will be happy to hear about a special offer, news or your latest blog post.

#4: Fans Can Check In to Your Business

When you have a brick-and-mortar business that attracts foot traffic and relies on in-person sales, some customers may want to “check in” to your establishment using the Facebook Places feature. When they do this, they are sharing their current location – and your business name with the linked Facebook Page – with all of their Facebook Friends. It’s free advertising for you and can help to further establish your online presence.

#5: Builds Customer Loyalty

Staying connected with current and future customers with a Facebook Page can help to open up the lines of communication and also make you appear more accessible. Accessibility is key when it comes to marketing and branding. After all, customers are more likely to do business with someone they can reach easily and someone they can trust. Be consistent with your Facebook updates and find ways to generate buzz about the latest happenings. Interact with people who post comments on your Facebook Page so that you can build some positive relationships. These relationships may be critical for building your client base now, and in the future.

Now that you have a beautiful, professional-looking website or blog set up, you need to make sure your target audience can actually find it! Having a website or blog go “live” on the web isn’t enough to make these marketing vehicles work for you. You need to take steps to proactively market and promote your URL, or potential customers won’t be able to find you easily. Even if you’re ranking high on the major search engines for certain keywords and phrases, there is an even bigger pool of potential clients and customers out there who can reach your site without using a search engine.

Here are seven FREE ways to promote your website or blog, and start generating more traffic:

1. Set up a Facebook Page. Create a complementary Facebook Page for your business and make sure to include details about your website and blog on the Page “Info” section. You can promote individual links as updates on your Wall, and can also interact with commenters and fans regularly. This is a free Facebook service that can help businesses across all industries.
2. Comment on other blogs or Facebook pages. Post comments on blogs relevant to your industry or services, and make sure you link back to your website or landing page when asked to enter personal information with your comment. If you’re on Facebook, make sure to “Like” other businesses in your niche or industry, and leave comments or posts on their Wall occasionally. This can help to generate some buzz and encourage other people to look at your Facebook page, website and blog.
3. Exchange links. Seek out links to websites and blogs that have similar interests as you and offer to link back to them in exchange for a link. This can be a simple and effective way to attract more traffic.
4. Add your URL to all marketing materials. Many small businesses overlook the value of this simple concept, and fail to attract hundreds of potential visitors to their site or blog as a result. Make sure you include your URL in all of your marketing materials – this includes business cards, postcards, posters and any direct mail pieces you send out regularly. Make it as easy as possible for potential customers to find your site’s address!
5. Submit your site to niche directories or local listings sites. Get listed on major niche directories by submitting your URL through the contact form. Some local listing sites offer a “free” option, and this can be very helpful in getting you noticed by your target market.
6. Publish press releases on your site, and online. Post press releases about newsworthy events and items related to your industry at least once per month. Press releases that get sent through the newswires need to include a link back to your website. This is a great way to get more exposure and increases the chances that potential customers will find you.
7. Promote your website or blog on Twitter. Twitter is a great social networking tool for promoting your business and establishing your online presence. Set up an account and post relevant updates regularly. Follow people in your niche, work on building a following, and post links to your website and blog content so that people can click through to your site directly.