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Friday, March 23, 2012
Store Locator Design Showcase
We are redesigning a new client’s website which includes a Store Locator option. The client has asked us for some examples and I’d like to share what we thought were some of the better store locators.
To make the cut, the locator had to at least:
- Provide a map
- Be useful
- Look pleasing to the eye
List includes search results pages, not store locator entry pages, though the best locators were those that provide the search function on the results page.
 Apple
 Victoria Secret's
 Sports Authority
 Michael's
 Home Depot
 Radio Shack
 Ace Hardware Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:47 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Web Design
Thursday, March 1, 2012
No Two Searches Are Created Equal
The reason why some search engine ranking positions fall or increase has everything to do with how Google interprets a search. Google is always evaluating and testing to make sure the searcher is provided with the most relevant search result.
All Searches Are Not Created Equal.
All searches are not created equal. Search results are only accurate at the time of search. My search result will look different from your search and will fluctuate because of Google’s continuing algorithm modifications, differences in our physical locations and personalization settings.
Real Time Data
Fluctuations in rankings may also occur due to real time data. Facebook, Blogs, Twitter and other real time content providers have motivated Google to index the internet in real time. Thus, Google may determine that a blog post, for instance, has significant value over a static web page and rank it higher.
Your State of Mind
Since Google is trying to provide the most relevant search result, they’ll try to provide search results based on what state of mind the search is in. For example, weather the searcher is in a ‘browsing’ or ‘buying’ mode at the time of search. Search results will determine this answer. When you see Google ranking Yelp and other directory websites within the search results, Google has determined, based on in-depth research, that the searcher may be browsing for goods and services rather than an immediate need to purchase, which would be indicated by a more specific product search or problem the searcher is having. For example: ‘washing machine repair companies’ (browsing) or ‘help with flooded basement’ (immediate need).
 Browsing Search Engine Ranking Results |
 Immediate Need Search Engine Ranking Results |
Other factors, with regards to fluctuating rankings, could be competitors using SEO techniques and new websites being indexed by Google.
Our job, as SEO specialists, is to monitor this activity, determine how Google is interpreting that search and modify our position accordingly by providing quality targeted keyword phrases and unique website content for Google to index.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:04 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: SEO
Monday, December 19, 2011
Shopping Cart Checkout Login Example – Smart Design
While purchasing Christmas gifts online, I recognized an excellent shopping cart checkout login interface – See’s Candies.
 Excellent Checkout Interface
- Support Phone number is here in case you need it. And I did.
- Your website visitors, especially purchasers, want to know where they’ve been, where they are and where they’re going. See’s Candies doesn’t surprise you. They tell you up front what’s coming up next.
- My favorite feature: Checkout as a Guest. Many times, I just want to order and go, without spending time creating an account. Give me the option and See’s Candies does.
When designing a shopping cart login interface, learn by example.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 11:06 am
Comments: None | Filed under: Web Design
Monday, November 21, 2011
They Got Me…I Opened It
Not an internet related post, but a very good, yet sneaky, marketing tactic (or trick).
What looks like an important package is cleverly disguised as merely a sales letter.
 Not Important at All I will usually open junk mail because:
- It may actually be legitimate (i.e. my new credit card or a check)
- I’m in marketing and I am just that curious
I could conclude this is good marketing, but I’m not a fan of any junk mail (online or offline). I’m a fan of permission marketing. This is not. It’s as bad as a telemarketer calling me in the middle of the night.
This example is truly deceptive. I really thought for a moment this was an ‘extremetly important’ package. It was not. NOTE: More often than not, when it says ‘extremely important’, it’s not.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 4:07 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Email Newsletters
Thursday, October 20, 2011
How to Grant Administrative Access to Business Facebook Page
Do you have a Facebook Business page? If not, get one.
If you do have a Facebook Business page, does your web team have access. If so, great, if not, they should.
Here is how to grant administrative rights for your web team.
- Have your web team ‘Like’ your business page
- Login to your Facebook account
- Click on the ‘Down’ arrow in the upper right corner and click Use Facebook as Page.
- Select the Page you want to edit
- Next, click on the Edit Page button in the top right corner.
- On the left column click Manage Admins
- Type the names or email addresses of the people you would like to add and click Save Changes
Now your web team will have full administrative rights to manage your Facebook Business page.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 10:42 am
Comments: None | Filed under: Social Media
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
MJS Web Solutions Launches USCG Stratton Commissioning Website
MJS Web Solutions is honored to announce the launch of the official website for Commissioning of the USCGC Stratton flagship.
 USCGC Stratton Commissioning Website The new website was designed with the ship in mind and to raise awareness and initiate contributions for the Commissioning event being held in Alameda at Coast Guard Island next year.
MJS Web Solutions would like to thank the Navy League and Barbara Price and Kathie Wolfe of PK Consultants for giving us the opportunity to create a historical event website.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:49 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: News
Monday, August 29, 2011
Paul Berning Website Launched by MJS Web Solutions
We’re proud to announce the launch of the new Law Offices of Paul W. Berning website.
An Alameda construction law lawyer, Paul W. Berning provides economical resolution of disputes, counseling and negotiating focused on construction, energy, business and regulatory matters.
 Law Offices of Paul W. Berning Website The new website, designed and developed by MJS Web Solutions, is a complete, custom design. The goal was to accent all four services with complementary imagery and SEO components.
Mike Swartz says, “Check it out!”
Law Offices of Paul W. Berning Website
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 1:57 pm
Comments: 1 Comment | Filed under: News
Friday, June 10, 2011
Domain Name Research Tools
Choosing a domain name for your business can be quite tough these days. Nearly every domain with any known combination of words is already taken. Note that I said ‘nearly every domain‘.
You’d be surprised what is still available if you’re creative in your search.
To help with your domain search, I’ve compiled a few domain name research tools that we’ve used with success.
BustAName
Our favorite, bustaname.com, where you can enter in many different word combinations and they’ll compile a list of available domain names. Or let Bustaname generate domain names for you with Domain Maker.
 BustaName Panabee
Enter two words into Panabee and it will give you variations and related terms on your search which can be very helpful. Just like in a keyword search, you may spot other words you never thought of.
 Panadee KnowEm
KnowEm goes one giant step further, by checking social network and trademark names.
 Knowem Check out these other domain name search resources.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 2:08 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: Business, Web General
Thursday, May 19, 2011
3 Important SEO Tasks Before Optimization Process
 Before we begin optimizing a website for a new SEO client, we recommend they sign up for the following 3 Google services:
- Claim Your Business Listing on Google Places
If your customers are local, they’re searching locally. Login to Google Places and add your business to Google’s local directory.
- Add Google Analytics Tracking Code to Your Website
Knowing how your visitors act on your website is crucial in determining the performance of any website.
- Sign Up With Google Webmaster Tools
Learn and control how Google interprets your website and ways to improve upon these findings.
Each service ensures our clients achieve successful results within the search engines.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 3:55 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: SEO
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Alameda 4th of July Parade Website Launch
We are proud to announce the launch of the new Alameda 4th of July Parade website.
The new website objective was about fun and community. We brought back parade roots, using the parade mascot for design inspiration. The new website now draws users in and invites them to be a part of the parade or join in the celebration.
After
 After Before
 Before Thank you’s
We would like to thank Barbara Price and the entire parade board for providing MJS Web Solutions the opportunity to work on such an exciting project.
We would also like to thank Gunderson Direct for their incredible design.
Posted by: Michael Swartz at 4:05 pm
Comments: None | Filed under: News
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