Archive for October, 2011

• Streaming but not at a PC

  by Tim in Tech News on October 27th, 2011 Post a comment

  We all know that traditional watching of TV is changing and more and more people watch TV and film online. For a while, the prime-time download leader in North America has been Netflix but a new report from Sanvine suggests that no only does Netflix still dominate (with almost 33% of peak downstream traffic) but that people are streaming media via non-PC devices.

  As this infographic based on the report findings shows, only 45% of the data volume used by those downloading video is now accessed by laptops and desktops. Perhaps surprisingly the mobile collective of games consoles, smart TVs, set-top boxes, tablets and smartphones are now the preferred streaming tools.

  Across the month and not just in peak-hours YouTube is still the leader with 83% of broadband subscribers using the channel but usage is shorter – averaging 3minutes per video compared to the 42 minutes average of NetFlix subscribers.

  Sandvine’s report suggests that almost 34 percent of all downstream traffic to mobile devices is media based ahead of Web browsing at 27.5 percent and social networking at 18.3 percent.

  The figures suggest brands need to re-consider advertising plans and how they reach out to potential customers. The digital era actually provides greater interaction with the viewer than traditional TV. As people’s perceptions change website creators should also take note. Embedding a video within a website will have a far greater impact nowadays that it would have 6 months ago. While embedding the video you can also ensure the main feature is surrounded by other sales messages from your business and attempts to engage with your audience. It’s all relevant. This is how people are using the internet.

  How do you stream your tv and film? Have you changed your preferred channel in the last six months?

• Head to Head: Drupal vs Joomla vs WordPress

  by Webfusion in Hosting, Web Design on October 21st, 2011 Post a comment

  Sometimes you come across an article that you know you just have to share.

  Here are Webfusion we’ve been talking about new ways in which we can help customers get the most of their hosting space. Thanks to our one-click apps, our shared web hosting customers not only benefit from reliable and trust-worthy web hosting but also a whole range of free web-based applications that are easy to install in directories and get professional, functional websites up and running in minutes. One-click apps offer simple but effective ways of building a website.

  The three most popular of our fusion apps are the CMS (content management system) favourites Drupal and Joomla and the blogger’s favourite WordPress. All three are site builder tools that are modular allowing customisation and development of sites over time. All are easy to use and understand and all are being used across the world to run some of the biggest and most popular websites in the world, including the White House official site.

  So this article from ComputerWorld jumped out at us as it compared all three of the systems available as free fusion apps and offers positives negatives on them. It’s a great start for anybody not fully aware of the capabilities of the apps or what ones would work best with their own business.

  Have a look and let us know what you think.

• Facebook or Google Ads?

  by Webfusion in marketing on October 12th, 2011 Post a comment

  The stats say that here in the US we spend more time on Facebook than even Google, so why do companies still spend thousands of dollars on advertising via the search engine giant?

  Firstly, it is probably that Google truly changed the way marketeers do business. The Brandsetter in the field always leads for longer. By GoogleAds grabbing people when they simply search for a product or service, only the truly sci-fi option of thought-control could possibly catch a potential customer earlier in the transaction. In the traditional world, what Google does compares to attracting the attention of the would-be customer just as they reach for the Yellow Pages. It led the way where many others now follow.

  Secondly, Facebook has developed into a a very personal medium and many Facebook users don’t like the fact that the hard-sell is reaching directly into what they see as their personal space. So for many Facebook is not the right location.

  Thirdly, Google offers multiple offers. Whereas Facebook ads are likely to be much more specific to the user that sees them, as people we also like the element of choice and Facebook’s style only allows one ad of a kind to be in sight of the user. Google is likely to show more than one ‘related’ ad to a search. It might not seem like a choice, but it sub-consciously it works better with the end user.

  That’s not to say Facebook Ads don’t have a place. With the amount of time people are spending there it is obvious ad spend and expected ROI on Facebook Ads will increase.But Facebook advertising is different and there is no reason why businesses – budget allowing – can’t use both channels. Facebook advertising is more like traditional forms, display ads while potential customers browse on by. Where Facebook Ads win over traditional print etc though is that firstly, it is considerably cheaper (being a new ‘un-proven’ form) and secondly it is targetted. In fact it is even more targetted than GoogleAds. With more personal detail to hand than ever, using Facebook means your ad can really reach the people you most want to hit. What’s more as a click-thru they can be instantly monitored and measured too.

  So where does Facebook win over Google in the advertising stakes? Cost probably, but also for Start-ups or businesses with new concepts. If a would-be customer doesn’t know about you or your product, they won’t be searching for relevant terms on Google, so your Google Ad won’t feature. Via Facebook, if you know your target market you can reach-out, find and build your own audience.

  Do you agree? Do you use Google, Facebook or both to advertise? What have been your returns?