Google+1 is Google’s attempt to step up the competition with Facebook’s seamless (and highly profitable) integration of social sharing and advertising. Currently, Facebook users have the option to share ads with friends on the social network by ‘Liking’ the ad, commenting on it or sharing the ad’s link within Facebook.
Starting in October, the Google +1 button will begin appearing within display ads across the Google Display Network (GDN). According to the announcement the +1 button will allow advertisers to “run social-enabled ad campaigns that work across millions of sites in over forty countries worldwide and will expand to both desktop and mobile.”
What we know now is that +1’s will appear at the bottom of display ads, showing users the profile photos of friends who have endorsed the ad. In the interest of privacy protection, only the additional number of other users who +1 the ad will show; you will not see images or names of people outside of your network. The +1 notifications will fade away after 10 seconds.
As it stands, the addition of the +1 button to display ads will be the default setting; advertisers can opt out by signing into their AdWords account.
For more on the Google+1 visit: http://www.google.com/+1/button
jweissberg Blog Articles Facebook, Google Display Network, Google+1, Social Media
Want more fans on your business Facebook page? Here’s a proven technique to increase your social networking presence using a Facebook custom Reveal Tab.
A Reveal Tab is a custom tab that has been coded to show different content to Fans as to Non-Fans. Why? Good question. Think teaser. Let’s say a Non-Fan visits a reveal tab. When a A Reveal Tab is a custom tab that has been coded to show different content to Fans as to Non-Fans. When a Non-Fan first arrives at the reveal tab page they are presented with a teaser page that says if the click “Like” to get instant access to the free promo content. So, they click like just to see what the free promo content is. Even if the visitor isn’t that interested in the content of the promo page you will still be converting them to a Fan. Very few visitors will ever “Un-Like” a page once they have clicked the like button. Combined with PPC (Pay-Per-Click) ads this is an extremely effective way of converting more visitors into fans at a much quicker rate. first get there they would be presented with a teaser page that says if the click “Like” they will get instant access to the free promo content. So, they click like just to see what the free promo content is. Even if the visitor isn’t that interested in the content of the promo page you will still be converting them to a Fan. Very few users will ever “Un-Like” a page once they have clicked the like button. Combined with Pay-Per-Click ads this is a proven and extremely effective way of converting more visitors into fans at a quicker rate.
jweissberg Blog Articles Facebook, Facebook Reveal Tab, Search Engine Optimization, Social Bookmarking
Technology changes quickly on the Web. If you haven’t updated your website in the last year, you’re likely missing out on traffic, customers, social marketing opportunities, and much more. Here are our top five reasons to get your website up-to-speed today:
- 1. Higher Search Engine Ranking.
- Search engines are the No. 1 way your prospects find you. But if your website isn’t designed, coded, and optimized to rank high in searches, those potential customers simply won’t find you.
- 2. More Traffic.
- Indexing, external links, e-mail marketing, strategic campaigns, and more, all add up to improving visitor rates and increasing your site’s return on investment.
- 3. Better Visitor Experience.
- A logical flow and clear path to your information results in more page visits, more time spent on your site, and more satisfied visitors.
- 4. Easier Maintenance.
- Updating your site with current information, blog posts, or news doesn’t have to leave you at the mercy of your Internet provider. A content management system makes it easy to update your site on your own.
- 5. Social Network Connectivity.
- Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are now integral to the business world and key to boosting your exposure, credibility, and ability to reach new and current customers.
jweissberg Blog Articles Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Website Design
Using a custom Reveal Tab to quickly generate significantly more ‘Likes’.
The above client has collected over 5,000 new business prospects within a few weeks.
A Reveal Tab is a custom tab that has been coded to show different content to Fans as to Non-Fans. Why? Good question. Think teaser. Let’s say a Non-Fan visits a reveal tab. When they first get there they would be presented with a teaser page that says if the click “Like” they will get instant access to the free promo content. So, they click like just to see what the free promo content is. Even if the visitor isn’t that interested in the content of the promo page you will still be converting them to a Fan. Very few users will ever “Un-Like” a page once they have clicked the like button. Combined with PPC (Pay-Per-Click) ads this is an extremely effective way of converting more visitors into fans at a much quicker rate.
For additional Facebook services visit:
http://www.socalwebworx.com/web_design_facebook_services.php
jweissberg Blog Articles Facebook, Social Media
If your Zen Cart website has a ‘contact form’, which collects visitor information, be aware that spammer’s software commonly uses this feature to send unwanted emails. The solution to stopping these emails is straightforward and effective: Have your webmaster install a CAPTCHA on your ‘form’.
What is a CAPTCHA? A CAPTCHA is an acronym for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”. CAPTCHA’s are used to prevent automated software from using your form to send spam emails. A CAPTCHA generally uses a graphic image of random letters and numerals in lower and upper case.
Example 1: 
Example 2: 
The viewer needs to type in the random password correctly to submit the form. The test ensures that a computer cannot generate the correct response, as computers cannot ‘read’ the graphic image password. Because other computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human.
jweissberg Blog Articles CAPTCHA, Spam, Zen-Cart
A commonly targeted weakness of zen-cart websites is spam emails being sent through the websites using the “Tell a Friend” form. If the spam emails get too frequent your site may be suspended by the hosting service and need to be reinstated. If you feel like you’ve been having the same issue, here is a way to solve the problem by allowing only “logged-in” customers to use the Tell a Friend form.
What we need to do is change one setting in the shopping cart admin panel to disallow “guest” shoppers from using the “tell a friend” form. However, registered and logged in customers will still get to use it.
This is how to make the change:
- Login to the shopping cart Admin panel
- Go to: Configuration –> Email Options
- Look for “Allow Guest To Tell A Friend” and click on that row once.
- To the right your choices will appear. Choose “False” and click update.
This setting change should eliminate or at least drastically reduce these spam emails from being sent.
jweissberg Blog Articles Spam, Zen-Cart
With a whole new website and Facebook page the Orange Empire Railway Museum rolls out their marketing for Day Out With Thomas with a catchy email announcement.
The announcement is fully featured and sticky with links for ticket purchases, website visits and event location maps. It’s design and photos are appealing to railway enthusiasts of all ages.
E-blasts are an effective way to stay in touch with your clients, patients and customers. E-blasts reinforce your company branding, are affordable and easy.
Click the thumbnail for a larger view. You can also view additional client samples at: http://www.socalwebworx.com/web_design_misc.php
jweissberg Blog Articles E-Blast, Website Marketing
When the Orange Empire Railway Museum needed a new website focused on Thomas The Train they quickly got on track with SoCal WebWorx.
For over 65 years, children have been captivated by the courageous adventures of Thomas and his engine friends. During its 16th consecutive year, Day Out With Thomas will make its stop once again at Orange Empire Railway Museum to treat its visitors once again to days of fun for the whole family.
Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine™. Parents, grandparents and siblings join their aspiring engineers in the fun. The Day Out With Thomas experience will engineer miles of smiles for the whole family and introduce a new generation to the timeless excitement of railroading.
With the event quickly approaching in early November, OERM.org needed an appealing design for their target audience of train enthusiasts. The six page website needed to roll out quickly and effectively. Features include online ticket purchasing and early bird specials as well as a new Day Out With Thomas Facebook page.
SoCal WebWorks was “all aboard” with custom designing and developed the new website and Facebook page – on time, on schedule and on budget.
jweissberg Blog Articles Custom Website Design, Social Media
When Dr Wellington Eng DDS and Michelle Eng DDS decided to move forward with a custom website they wanted to be sure it would be attractive, well-organized, easy to navigate and search engine friendly. For a visitor friendly cutting-edge custom look, photos were included from Dr Eng’s collection of professionally taken photographs. An animated jQuery banner was added for easy viewing on iPhones and iPads. A professional marketing writer was also added to the website design team to insure effective copywriting and to assist with identifying important keywords for the dentist’s unique dental practice. SoCal WebWorx coordinated the on-site SEO effort by writing and inserting keyword rich Meta tags including page titles, keyword lists and page descriptions.
Dr Eng’s new website was organized into separate pages focused on specific services of the dental practice. Before and after photographs were included to illustrate the website verbiage. In addition an on-site blog was added to Dr Eng’s new site to provide a vehicle for the doctor to reach out to patients and to address their dental concerns. As the blog grows with keyword rich postings it will become a valuable educational tool for the doctor’s patients and help maximize search engine optimization.
jweissberg Blog Articles Blogging, Custom Website Design, Search Engine Optimization, WordPress Template
It is a somewhat loaded question, as there are strong SEO reasons to utilize both Facebook and on-site blogging. Non-the-less, a common SEO related question has lately been: “With Facebook so popular, should I still add a blog to my website?” My answer is yes because of one very important and basic search engine rule. Your postings on Facebook are on the Facebook website, whereas postings to your blog will add content and traffic to your website. For maximum return-on-investment setup your website blog to syndicate to your Facebook and other social media accounts as well as other blogs on the Internet.
Following are a few examples of blogs installed and customized by SoCal WebWorx:
http://www.cinderellahair.com/blog
http://www.pacificcoastentertainment.com/blog
http://www.rugfirm.com/blog
http://www.tampicospice.com/blog
Blog installation and customization generally includes the following services:
- Installation, setup and configuration of WordPress.
- Layout Banner to match/resemble current website.
- Adjust site colors to match/resemble current website.
- Install, Configure and Test Social Media Syndication Module.
- Testing, client instructions and posting live to client’s website.
jweissberg Blog Articles Blogging, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media
