Author: identity

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Are You Accessible? – Accessible Web Design

As appeared in the Presence Pointers column of the October 2008 issue of “Business Watch” magazine.

What has always fascinated me about the Web isn’t all the graphics, images, sounds, and videos; it’s the ability to access all kinds of information. Just about anything you could ever want to know is often just a few clicks away. That’s pretty incredible. All that other stuff is just icing on the cake.Yet for some people, the access that many of us now take for granted, still seems like a distant dream. Believe it or not, I’m not talking about people in far away countries who don’t have the technology to access the Web or who may be prohibited from or limited in their access. I’m talking about people right here who may even be your neighbors. Continue reading “Are You Accessible? – Accessible Web Design”

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Do You Know SEO?

As appeared in the Presence Pointers column of the September 2008 issue of “Business Watch” magazine.

While I’ve mentioned SEO, or search engine optimization, a number of times, I realize that it is probably a rather foreign concept to some. Actually, if my recent 20 year high school reunion has taught me anything, it’s more likely that the concept is quite foreign to most readers. Let’s change that. Continue reading “Do You Know SEO?”

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Being Blog Worthy

As appeared in the Presence Pointers column of the August 2008 issue of “Business Watch” magazine.

Are you plugged into the blogosphere? Do you follow bloggers you enjoy reading, and maybe even participate on their blogs by sharing your comments? Has your company built up a following with its own blog? If not, then you may have some catching up to do.I’m sure some of you have just come to the realization that you need a website, so hearing that you need a blog may not leave you dancing for joy. The good news is, depending on your business, Web site needs, target audience and goals, you might decide that your Web site should in fact, just be a blog. Continue reading “Being Blog Worthy”

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Greetings from Google Local!

Originally published at “InsideSEM.com” in October, 2007.

Forget ocean sunsets, waterfalls, castles, and ancient cathedrals, those four words may make for the best postcard you’ll ever receive. If you haven’t received this postcard, or an automated phone call from your friends at Google Local, then let me tell you what you are missing.

Location-based and local search can be a powerful tool for any business, yet many businesses and websites don’t fully utilize this resource. Whether looking for a nearby wine café or wineries to visit for a vacation in Sonoma, these are considered local search. If you haven’t focused some of your web presence efforts on local search, then you may never know what business you missed out on. And as mobile search grows as the numbers of mobile phone users with web access on their phones grows, the importance of local search will grow exponentially as well.

So what can you do to improve your “local” presence? Continue reading “Greetings from Google Local!”

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It’s That Time Again – Christmas in July

As appeared in the Presence Pointers column of the July 2008 issue of “Business Watch” magazine.

Thoughts are turning to that exciting time of the year again – no, I don’t mean evenings outdoors, barbecuing, or networking on the golf course – I mean Christmas. Seems like just yesterday the last bit of snow finally melted away – come to think, it practically was yesterday.

It’s the other Christmas in July. While the online world gives the impression of instantaneous-ness, the reality isn’t always so. Sure, you can often make changes or updates to your Web site faster and with less effort than anything comparable in the offline world, but most from a marketing point of view, the online world isn’t that much different than the offline one.

Online retailers understand this fact, but the principles apply to anyone with a Web presence. Even if your key time of year isn’t the holiday shopping season, forethought and preplanning out from key dates should be a part of your Web marketing calendar. Let’s take a look at some of the key drivers to plan into your calendar. Continue reading “It’s That Time Again – Christmas in July”