Category Archives: Technology

Why The Surface Pro 2 Is The Perfect Device For Web Entrepreneurs

surface 2If you run a website or blog, do SEO for a living or design websites, then you are a ‘web entrepreneur’. That makes you a particular kind of person and we can thus infer a few things about the way you probably live your life. Chances are that you travel a fair amount while you work, you are probably self-employed and you probably have at least some interest in gadgets and technology.

As such, you are probably the kind of person that Microsoft is targeting with their Surface Pro line of products and you should probably be interested in the recent news of Surface Pro 2 which is now just around the corner. Unveiled at the recent ‘Surface Event’, the Pro 2 aims to be everything that a tech entrepreneur could possibly need and it would seem they might just be correct. Read on to find out why…

What is the Surface?

 

The Surface Pro 2 is of course the natural evolution of the Surface Pro. This is a tablet ‘slate’ device that runs full Windows using 4 Gigabytes of RAM and an Intel i5 processor. In short, whereas the iPad is essentially a big smartphone, this is more of a compact PC and can do anything that you would normally use a PC for.

In keeping with this aim, the Surface Pro also came with a kickstand built in and a set of attachable cover accessories with built-in keyboards for inputting text quickly. Combine this with the pressure sensitive Wacom stylus and you have a device that’s highly productive but also convenient to hold in one hand when you just want to read the news, when you want to show a client your web design, or when you’re carrying it to the coffee shop under one arm.

Pros of Pro 2

But the Surface Pro in its original form was not for everyone. Why? Well one big issue was the battery life which was only around four hours – low for an ultrabook and really low for a tablet. Another was the kickstand and cover. While these were great features they were lacking when you came to use the device on your lap on the bus, or when you had to rest it on a table much lower than yourself.

The Pro 2 however should address both these issues. The new Haswell processor that is being used will not only greatly improve performance (by 20% reportedly), but will also give the device 75% more battery life (around 7 hours). Throw in a ‘power cover’ and that goes up to around 14 hours.

Meanwhile the Kickstand has been improved to now support two separate viewing angles. This way you can comfortably rest the tablet on your lap and type or on a low down table. Throw in better performance all around and a more colour-accurate screen with better glare resistance and you have a device that’s ideal for those of us who like to work on the go, and who like the sounds of drawing our designs onto the screen with our device on our laps.

Today’s featured writer, Brady Fisher, works at 7 Strategy, a company that offers comprehensive SEO services. He owns a fantastic toolkit and uses it to do restoration work in his spare time.

Virtual Private Servers (VPS): The Virtual Future of Small Business

virtual private serversVirtual private servers (VPS) are re-defining the way small businesses use the Internet. Small businesses who need a secure, private server can connect to the host and agree to the terms and conditions to achieve their goals. Not only is VPS convenient, the Small Business Administration reports approximately 25 percent of small businesses have backed up data using a web host/server.

A private server is a web-hosting medium where information is stored and shared among specific groups who are allowed access to the information. Large web hosting companies provide service to a multitude of companies at one time. With a private server, the web hosting companies offer each business its own secure network. This eliminates issues with one server from impacting another. Other benefits include:

  • Security – Each private server is provided maximum security. Information can only be shared with others who have been given access through pass codes or a direct link. This prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to highly sensitive or confidential information.
  • Cost Effectiveness – Small businesses often run on a tight budget. Using a virtual private server is cost effective. There is no need for expensive storage or additional servers and programs when everything is centralized and accessible from one location.
  • Stability – Private web hosts and servers offer stability as well as security. Because it is a private network, the activities of other companies using the host server will not be able to affect or impact your network in any way. They are totally separate entities and do not interact with one another.
  • Consistent Resources – As your business grows, its information and data storage needs will continually change. By using a VPS system, you have access to consistent and guaranteed resources as you need them. You don’t have to worry about not having enough RAM or losing files because they aren’t compatible with another program in the system.
  • Flexibility – Several operating systems are available to choose from. You can choose the one you are accustomed to using without worrying about learning a new one or converting your IT programs. This familiarity adds convenience and practicality.
  • Maximum Control – You have maximum control over your network. If there is something you need, install it. If you want to upgrade the system or change accessibility requirements, you can. You control your environment, and it stays the way you design it. According to Webhostinggeeks.com, being able to control data storage and this ultimate flexibility make the service worth its price.
  • Designed to Meet Your Needs – Web hosting companies provide networks designed to meet your needs. Their scalability allows you to grow within your system without worrying about having to stop and install new programs or add new resources. Each “container,” or environment, comes with exactly what you put into it at the beginning. Over time, the environment has the capability to expand and grow right along with your business, keeping you up to speed and on track for growth.

Author: Peter Marino is the owner and CDO of reelWebDesign.com and SocialMediaMarketing.co a website design and Inbound marketing company in NYC, respectively.

An Insight Into Google Webmaster Tools

Google Webmaster ToolsGoogle Webmaster Tools is a free web service that Google provides to webmasters. By using these tools, webmasters can check the indexing status of their websites and can optimize the website for better visibility. The increased visibility is limited to only Google search and not to other search engines. Many people who use Google Webmaster Tools are now aware of this fact, as this information is not highlighted clearly. Google Webmaster Tools is a very popular solution that most webmasters use to improve the Search Engine Ranking Optimization of websites. You can find more information regarding Google Webmaster Tools here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Webmaster_Tools.

Using Google Webmaster Tools

  • Only webmasters can use Google Webmaster Tools. Therefore, you will need to prove your ownership of the website before you can use the tools.
  • To use Google Webmaster Tools, you will have to create your account.
  • Go to the home page of Google Webmaster Tools (http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/)
  • If you have a Google Account, use it to log into the site.
  • If you do not have a Google Account, you will have to sign up for an account.
  • After logging into the account, you can add the website details.
  • You will be provided with options to verify the ownership of the website.
  • You can verify using any of the following methods
    • HTML file upload method
    • HTML tag method
    • Domain name provider
    • Google Analytics
    • Google Tag Manager
    • Once the website is verified, you will be able to access the Google Webmaster Tools dashboard for the website.

Advantages of Integrating Google Webmaster Tools

By integrating Google Webmaster Tools, you will be able to monitor the following by using the tool

1.       Crawl errors

Google Webmaster Tools will allow you to identify errors that Google bots have encountered when trying to crawl in your website. This will allow you to review these errors and rectify them.

2.       Top search queries

This function of the tool will provide you with details regarding the top search queries that have led audiences to your website. Using this tool, you can identify if the website is displayed in search results when search is done for appropriate keywords or phrases

3.       Keywords

This tool will also provide you details regarding the top keywords that are associated with your website.

4.       Site links

The various links that lead to your website will be displayed in this tool.

5.       Sitemaps

By using Google Webmaster Tools, you can upload sitemaps for websites.

How is Google Webmaster Tools different to Google Analytics?

  • Google Analytics will provide you details of total traffic to your website whereas Google Webmaster Tools will provide you with traffic details for each keyword separately.
  • Google Analytics will provide you statistical data on visitors to your site whereas Google Webmaster Tools will give you information on how Google sees your site in the perception of a search engine.

It is a great combination to use Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools in unison as it will provide you with many statistical data that can be used to improve traffic to your website. It will also allow you to identify if your marketing campaign or SEO campaign is providing you with your desired results.

Our guest blogger: Matthew Anton is an experienced webmaster who has been using Google Webmaster Tools to analyze and rectify website data in his websites. Matthew writes regular post on http://backlinksvault.com/

Using Webinars To Drum Up Business

Using Webinars To Drum Up BusinessHosting a webinar is a great way for Managed Service Providers (MSP) to generate interest in their business. Webinars are an effective marketing tool for bringing in new clients or selling and promoting additional products and services to clients. Webinars as a sales technique is simple and efficient. It offers free, helpful information to companies and provides business owners with the opportunity to ask valuable questions. How does a MSP successfully create a revenue-generating webinar?

Topics

Webinar topics a MSP can choose from are endless. Successful webinars focus on topics that are of interest to attendees. What do attendees what to hear? Focus on current technology and business issues. What is currently trending in the industry? Is there new technology or applications clients want to learn more about integrating into their business? Are business operations flowing smoothly? Discuss topics that provide valuable information for attendees.

Information

Information can include products and services offered by the MSP. Include a link to the website in the webinar. This gives attendees an opportunity visit the website to learn more about the company, products, or services highlighted in the webinar. Not only does this increase website traffic for the MSP, but it also increases potential for future sales.

Technology

A variety of webinar-hosting technology is available to meet the most diverse presentation needs. Features a MSP might consider are screen sharing, voice or IM chat capabilities, etc. The MSP hosting the webinar might need to change between speakers or record the webinar for posting online. Thorough research of software features under consideration is the best way for a MSP to determine if it will meet their presentation needs.

Practice

Practice is an important part of hosting a webinar. It will help a MSP detect any production issues such as sound or bad connections that might occur during the presentation. Clients are investing their time in attending the webinar, and so should the MSP in regards to producing quality content. A great webinar will be highly visual and engaging. Be sure to include visuals such as pictures and videos and always avoid heavy text.

Marketing

A webinar without an audience is a bit obsolete, so MSPs need to devise a solid plan to market their webinar. Send out e-mail invitations and make phone calls to potential attendees. When scheduling a webinar, choose a date far in advance. This gives attendees enough time to clear their schedule. Also take into consideration time zone differences and the time of day to avoid catching attendees at a bad time.

Follow Up

The follow-up after the webinar is a critical time for MSPs. The MSP should have a good follow-up strategy in place to reach out to attendees. Following the completion of the webinar is when attendees will request additional info or have more questions. MPS should use this time to forge closer relationships. Take the time after the presentation to send out you e-mails summarizing key points and links to products or services promoted in the webinar. Have attendees that couldn’t make it last minute? Don’t let them slip through the cracks! Send a link to the archived webinar. Also consider distributing surveys, which is extremely helpful in helping a MSP plan for their next webinar.

A successful webinar is informative, promotes products, generates leads, and strengthens existing relationships with clients. Webinars should be part of a MSPs marketing strategy. Take the time to experiment with different webinar software and invest time in the presentation. Make the effort to connect with attendees after the webinar to form stronger relationships with clients in order to build business and revenue.

Our guest blogger: Jessica May, is a resident of Vancouver who loves mountian biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. She frequently guest blogs about SEO, social media, outsourcing and help desks.