Move Over Black Friday: Introducing Cyber Monday

For a few years, Cyber Monday has been heralded as the post-Black Friday source for digital deals; however, this year’s event is adding up to be the biggest online sales day of 2011. For November 28th, online sales surpassed the billion dollar mark with electronics, such as flat-screen televisions and digital cameras, leading the way. In addition, unlike their brick-and-mortar counterparts on Black Friday, Cyber Monday retailers appeared to pull off the day without a glitch.

Insight: Cyber Monday proves that customers no longer view online as a secondary retail option, but a viable (and often preferred) contender to in-person purchases. More and more businesses should and will consider the advantages of an online presence – not only an opportunity, but a potentially mandatory investment.

Ditching Email in Favor of Social Media

Atos, a French IT firm, recently announced its “Zero Email” plan, which seeks to replace internal emails with social media communication. Comparing spam to environmental pollution, the company claims employees spend more time clearing junk mail than reading valuable messages. Atos’ CEO, Thierry Breton, says spam is “fast polluting our working environments and also encroaching on our personal lives.” Atos plans to be free of internal emails by mid-2013.

Insight: Email is a 40-year-old technology that some say has reached volumes of 90% spam. Citing high spam rates and the popularity of social networking with its employees, Atos looks to be on the vanguard of companies ditching email for new technology. While Atos hopes to be one of the first companies to successfully do so, many will note unsuccessful attempts by other companies in recent memory, such as Google Wave, an ambitious approach to reinventing email that was ultimately shuttered in 2010. Social media may prove to be more practical, and Atos may be one of the first to finally rid itself of email messages.

Delivering Security in an Interactive World

On fjhqjv.com, this blog’s author delivers a thought-proving first line: “When you get right down to it, most security is based on the honor system.” Nowhere is this more true than in the ever-evolving world of interactive technology: phones, computers, tablets, and more. The article points out that most hackers aren’t necessarily more skilled in the art of programming, but rather, just more dedicated to the mission of finding cracks of which they can take advantage. In response, developers and technology providers (such as Apple) must remain consistently alert to these individuals’ efforts, debugging and updating in order to effectively block any exploits.

Insight: No developer or technology provider can be completely immune to the ill-intent of a focused hacker. However, efforts can be made – both during and after program launch – to stay one step ahead. The best adage to consistent follow is: “If you find something that appears to be a weakness in logic or behavior, let someone know about it.” This call-to-action is not only for developers, but for both broader project team members and end-users as well.

Why Icon Fonts Are Better Than Icon Images

CSS-Tricks has created an interactive demo page explaining how both the use of CSS and browser display can be improved using icon fonts. Made specifically for the web, they are based entirely on symbols and icons and are treated as fonts. Now, icon fonts are likely to be used more and more frequently because of the benefits of moving away from using too images to mockup web layouts.

Insight:  As opposed to using image editing or vector-based software for updating icons, designers are now able to easily make adjustments with CSS. Ultimately, icon fonts are the web equivalent of WingDings fonts used on desktop computers. In addition to improving page loading time, icon fonts also allow users to toggle with settings, such as font size, color/hue/saturation, and text shadow all through stylesheets. There is no doubt that designers will continue to push for wider use and support of icon fonts.

A Programmer’s Code of Conduct

In this article, blogger Christoffer shares his thoughts on valuable insights and directives in Robert C. Martin’s The Clean Coder. The book provides professional developers with a code of conduct, which if observed, will improve one’s odds of work fulfillment and success. Per the blog, take-away lessons to be embraced include an emphasis on being a team player, understanding the the domain of every project, remaining calm in hectic situations, and consistently practicing the art of web development.

Insight: Both Robert C. Martin’s book and Christoffer’s review can serve as the jumping-off point for a valuable discussion amongst programmers and their teams. As a profession dictated by highly-specialized skill sets and often tight deadlines, web developers must find a way to construct every project for not only effective completion, but personal fulfillment as well. To use the blog author’s words, this book “provides worthwhile and interesting information on what it means to be a professional software developer.”

Tips for Android Tablet Design

Competition in the mobile industry requires a brand’s app to be compatible in multiple formats. Smashing Magazine highlights the differences between designing apps for the iPad and the Android tablet. Differences are physical, such as screen dimension and pixel density,  UI-based, including the ‘System’ and ‘Action’ bars featured on the Android, and design-based, such as available fonts. Overall, a good tutorial of key points to be aware of when designing for the Android tablet.

Insight: Currently, the iPad is still approximately two-thirds of the tablet market; however, the adoption rate of the Android platform, both phone and tablet, is increasing. Developers will need to design applications that take advantage of the features, layout, and limitations specific to both tablets. In the mobile world, one size does not fit all.

Google Gives App Inventor a New Home at MIT Media Lab

Google’s App Inventor project launched last July with the goal of giving non-programmers an easy way of building applications for Android devices. App Inventor featured pre-written ‘chunks’ of code that allowed users to drag and drop buttons, fields, and feeds directly into an application with ease. Unfortunately, with Google Labs projects being streamlined under the helm of new CEO Larry Page, App Inventor was retired and open sourced. MIT, recognizing the benefit of the platform for education, has given the project a new home at the MIT Media Lab, making it part of a new MIT Center for Mobile Learning. The Center for Mobile Learning will be run by App Inventor creator, Hal Abelson, along with fellow MIT professors Eric Klopfer and Mitchel Resnick.

By streamlining services and open sourcing projects like App Inventor, Google can encourage innovation while focusing on its core products. With App Inventor moving to MIT’s Media Lab, App Inventor will get direction from developers that are passionate about the product, and are interested in leveraging mobile technology for learning.

Fighting Crime with Social Media

When Portugal The Man’s van and equipment were stolen after their set at Lollapalooza, they turned to social media to help find it. Postings and photos detailing the missing items quickly spread through Chicago. Although not leading directly to an arrest, the buzz generated through social media got the attention of the larger media, and eventually, much of the Portland band’s equipment was recovered.

Insight: For better, such as the above story and the revolutions of the Arab Spring, or worse, such as the flash mob violence in Philadelphia and riots in London, one of social media’s strengths is the rapid transmission of information to a large audience. Increasingly, authorities are monitoring social media for tips and insights into criminal activity. In the near future, tweets may be admissible evidence and Foursquare posts alibis.

The Art of Email Newsletter Optimization

While the concept of an email newsletter sounds easy enough, even the most seasoned designers can feel the challenges of coding these layouts for readability and usability. In response, Smashing Magazine has published some tips for how to tackle the use of CSS in these newsletters. Topics of focus include: understanding the most popular email clients, the favorability of table layouts, and how to optimize for mobile use.

Insight: Many of the road bumps encountered during email newsletter design stem from the ever-changing standards of platform and browser performance. To master implementation of this format, you must not only practice smart layout, stylesheet creation, and testing, but also be attentive to how the requirements surrounding these activities can change according to evolving viewer formats and technology types.

2011′s Top Websites

What makes a website better than the rest? According to Time Magazine, it’s a combination of usefulness, entertainment, and overall uniqueness. Some of the sites included in the publication’s ‘best of 2011′ are perfect for music mixologists (8tracks and Turntable.fm), humor junkies (Onion Sports Network), and travel enthusiasts (Gogobot and Airbnb). Check out the list to see if any of your favorites are included, or to discover your newest digital ‘must-visit’.

Insight: The sites recognized by Time Magazine prove that while the overarching topics may not change, there are always new ways to feature and talk about the subjects we love. Many of these sites blend standard online news and/or blog formatting with social media touches and innovative ad promotions, streamlining popularly accepted online layouts into the next generation of website gold.

In Email Marketing, Time Is Everything

Studies have found that consumers prefer email as the primary contact method for brand promotional efforts. As with many other forms of marketing communication, message timing is usually the difference between a sale and the trash. In response, automated email campaigns allow messages to successfully follow the customer lifecycle. Through the use of auto-messages sent following a specific user-triggered action, brands have reported a marked improvement in user engagement with their email campaigns. ROI has increased due to the ability to send fewer, but more profitable, messages.

Insight: Compared to generic email “blasts”, user-triggered auto-messages do have a significant advantage. Programmed emails can also do much of the heavy-lifting and ensure that no opportunities are missed. However, completely automated messaging risks losing the flexibility and authenticity of the human touch. The biggest gains in consumer engagement through email marketing will come from a balance of automated and authentic communication.

Introducing the Google+ Project

Google launched its latest attempt to tackle social networking, called Google+, to a small group of early adopters this past week. While it looks and works similarly to Facebook, Google is differentiating the social network by its nuanced approach to sharing based on the concept of social circles. Additionally, Google+ features group messaging and group video chat, and a feature that works similarly to Google alerts called ‘Sparks’ that actively bring fresh new content into the environment.

Insight: Google is looking to add social networking to its wide portfolio of successful web services, which it hasn’t been able to do previously. Because Google+ features a toolbar that appears across all Google properties, its users will likely spend time on the social network without really thinking about it. This should give Google additional Time on Site from its visitors – a battle it has been fighting against Facebook, which has in recent months experienced more Time on Site versus Google.

In light of Google+’s unveiling, Facebook is expected to announce new features that may steal the thunder of its new features (Huddle, Hangout).

Digital Lessons from Cannes

Each year, the world’s top brands and advertising agencies spend a week in Cannes, distributing accolades and discussing the future of our industry. For 2011, an emphasis on merging new technologies with creative output consistently appeared as a dialogue topic of immense interest and importance. In light of these discussions, Mashable assembled a list of digital lessons from Cannes, including: the use of experiential marketing, a shift from communities to ‘collectives’, and the rise of the ‘creative technologist’.

Insight: Inevitably, the top players in the evolution of digital creativity are still highly intrigued and mesmerized by the category itself. Not only can brands and marketers become consistently better and more adept at using existing technologies, the constant emergence of new options keeps us on our toes. Content will increasingly be called upon to ‘do’ as much as ‘say’, as we race to keep our sites, apps, and other digital landscapes both relevant and riveting.

The Importance of Performance Metrics

Within the interactive space, marketers have immediate access to a plethora of metrics; however, some are inevitably more useful than others. According to eMarketer, the seven most important are: qualified reach/visits, click-through rate, brand perception, engagement score, end action rate, efficiency rate, and ROI. Furthermore, by establishing framework around these measurements will allow for the assessment of both short- and long-term worth.

Insight: While all of the suggested metrics are valuable, it is important to understand the unique analytical needs of your specific site, application, or other digital holding. Create not only a framework for the successful collection and assessment of these metrics, but also strive to develop a story as to why these quantitative factors provide a larger qualitative value. By both fully understanding and articulating these facets of site analysis, your team will be better able to gauge ongoing success, while educating clients as to the importance of their online efforts.

We want to know what you think.  Tweet, write on our wall or leave a comment below.

Facebook

Facebook Open Graph: Coming to a Mobile Device Near You.

How to Protect Your Brand and Strengthen Your Facebook Presence with Facebook Community Pages.

Email Marketing

Using Email Marketing to Boost Social Presence.

Truncation traps: 3 more subject line lessons.

Why Email Metrics Are in Decline.

Infographics!

12 kickass SEO Infographics.

But really, what infographic isn’t kickass?

iPad

Thoughts on Designing for the iPad.

You can put the brand onto the iPad, But You Can’t Put The IPad Into The Brand.

In other news: your horse is thirsty.

Google News

Bing generates More Clicks Than Google.

Google Places API Could Do For Check-ins What Google Maps Did For Maps.

Make them relevant?

A Video

Sheena Iyengar on the art of choosing.

Chart of the Day

Digg users Have More Diverse Taste than Reddit readers.

Take that Reddit!

Can’t wait for the next link round up? Check back here everyday to see what we are interested in.

Let us know if these links are helpful or if we’ve left something out.  Tweet, write on our wall or comment below.

Google News

Google updates maps results in web search.

Google is Conducting Focus Group Research into social networking.

5 Things Google’s Latest Patent tells us about links.

A Chart

Time Spent On Yahoo hits an all-time low.

A Book

Jeremy Keith’s HTML5 For Web Designers.

Advertising and Marketing

Tech Firms Tout New Online Ad Formats that are supposed to outperform banner and search ads.

A look at Data Blindness in the SEO world.

A few YouTube Best Practices you might not have thought of already.

Turning Brand Advocates into believers.

Double-Digit Growth again for online ad spending.

5 Email Marketing Mistakes to avoid.

Twitter gets a Video Ad Network.

Engage your customers in 3 Simple Steps

A Tool

PIE – Progressive Internet Explorer.

And a Podcast

Mistakes We Have Made featuring Avinash Kaushik.

Can’t wait for the next link round up?  Check back here everyday to see what we are interested in.

Here’s a look at some of the sites Chris and Antonio turn to regularly for tips, analysis of current events and inspiration.

Search Engine News

Search Engine Land – This site has tons of valuable material covering Google, Bing & search industry news, as well as the yearlong PPC Academy series.

Search Marketing Now – This site offers webcasts, whitepapers and resources for online and search engine marketers.

Google Resources

Google Webmaster Central Blog – Google’s official blog for news on crawling and indexing websites for the Google index.

Inside Adwords – Google’s official blog for news, information and tips on AdWords.

Official Google Analytics Blog – The best source for information on updates to GA as well as tips.

Google Analytics Application Gallery – The Official Google Application Gallery featuring several great web applications built using the Google Analytics’ API.

SEM Implementation

Open Graph – Facebook recently created the Open Graph protocol to bring the rest of the Web to Facebook in an effort to rival Google’s web footprint. Additional metadata allows a site to rank within Facebook, and it also increases content share-ability by having site visitors publish site content, such as blog posts and news stories, to their friends via their News Feed.

Asynchronous Tracking – Google recently updated their Analytics Tracking Code and this blog gives step-by-step instructions on how to migrate to the new code.  The main benefit of asynchronous tracking is faster load time, which has recently become a factor of Google’s search algorithm.

LunaMetrics – LunaMetrics has accumulated a wealth of information and resources over many years of working with Google Analytics and Website optimization, and they like to share the most useful tips on this site.

Local SEO Resources

Local Search Rankings – Regionalized SEO comprises a large part of our SEO focus, so this particular blogpost offers tips for optimizing Google Places and Google Local Business Listing.

Local Search Optimization – This one is specifically for Google Maps and Google Earth.  It contains information regarding the utilization of KML within XML Sitemaps, an advanced SEO technique beyond standard issue, local SEO.

Online Marketing Resources

eMarketer –This is a go-to site for online marketing tips, trends and statistics. eMarketer typically covers topics such as social media strategy, demographic and online trending as well as industry news and opinions. eMarketer is also a great source for charts and graphs on the above topics.

Marketing Sherpa – Similar to eMarketer, Marketing Sherpa is a how-to guide on topics, such as ecommerce, email marketing and search marketing. It is also a great source for charts and graphs on Web marketing trends.

Let us know if you find these links useful by commenting below.  We always enjoy feedback.