New Twitter Features

There are some social media websites that seem to be ever-changing, and some that never seem to vary at all. Facebook has undergone more changes than a teenager's sense of style, and many people cannot even remember what it ever looked like at the beginning. Twitter, on the other hand, used to be part of the other camp, keeping the same basic layout for years. Used to. This week, Twitter unveiled the major re-design that it has applied to its website, and there has been a great deal of confusion. So for all of you Twitterers out there, here are the new Twitter features:

1. The new layout.
You could be forgiven for thinking that you'd stumbled upon a new version of Facebook when you look at the new Twitter layout. It has a cover photo at the top, different tabs running underneath it, and a variety of photographs on the left hand side.

2. Photo and video feed.
Who doesn't love to see the incredible photographs and inspirational videos that are tweeted? Well, now you have the brilliant option of only seeing those tweets. The photograph and video feed is one of the most popular features of the new Twitter.

3. Pin that tweet.
Incorporating a characteristic of the very popular website Pinterest, Twitter users can now 'pin' a tweet to the top of their profile. That means that it will stay at the top of your tweets, regardless of how many other things you tweet. Perfect for businesses and celebrities alike, it will be interesting to see what some people choose to display.

4. Bigger is better.
There is now a great visual way to see which tweets are popular and which aren't. One of the new Twitter features is that a tweet with more retweets and favorites will automatically become larger, filling up more of your tweet stream. This demonstrates to people viewing your profile just what other people think is important.

5. Twitter filter.
Stalking on Twitter has never been simpler with the new Twitter feature of filtering. You can choose tweets only, tweets with a photograph or a video, or tweets with a reply from individual users. For example, if you're getting tired of scrolling through Madonna's tweets, you can instead filter through them and only see the ones that have a fabulous photograph or video attached to it. Perfect for finding exactly what you want.

Website Example: Lenox Custom Upholstery

Welcome to Atlanta’s finest custom made furniture where our motto is “If you can dream it, you can have it.”  We offer top class upholstery and Customization of furniture that tailors to your sense of fashion right here in Buckhead. Whether you are looking sofas, chairs, bar stools, love seats, or custom made beds, look no further.     

Check out the website at: http://lenoxcustomupholstery.com/

The 5 Laws of Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional Customer Service

Business is, by its very nature, a competitive life. You want to not only bring the customers in, but keep them ñ and make sure that your competitors don't. But when many companies are actually offering much the same things, how can you make sure that you stand out from the crowd? Two words: customer service.

One of the most important things about your business, and what can almost guarantee your company's success, is the way that you treat your customers. Here are our five top tips to creating the best customer service for your clients:

1. Smile, smile, smile.

Nothing is more welcoming than a smile. Customer service is often the port of call for customers that are not initially happy with the goods or services that they have received, and they usually want to complain. But if you meet them with a smile on your face, it is scientifically proven that we naturally 'mirror' that smile ñ putting your customer in a better mood.

2. Quality not quantity.

Although not of product, but of attempts to make the customer happy. If it is taking you and your staff four or five attempts to really understand what your customer needs, then you aren't listening properly, and you are not taking your time. A higher quality response will lower the number of times you have to do something to make your customer happy ñ shortening the time that they are unhappy.

3. G. L. U. E. everything together.

No, don't stick the customer to your desk! G. L. U. E. stands for Give Little Unexpected Extras, and is a perfect way to bring your customer back on board if it looks like they are thinking of wandering to your competitors. Offer them an incentive to stay, and chances are they will stick with who they know ñ you. You just need to offer them something that is worth staying for.

4. Never say never.

There are always two ways to answer a question: no, we can't; and yes, we can but in a different way. Once you see the possibilities, it will make difficult conversations easier. ìNo, we don't have that in red,î can become, ìRed is available in another store ñ do you want me to order it for you?î

5. If in doubt, say sorry.

It probably isn't your fault, and it probably isn't even the company's fault, but sometimes customers feel so aggrieved, they aren't looking for answers, they're looking for apologies. 

Website Example: Alpina Tech Auto Repair

Alina Tech Located in Los Angeles, Prides itself by providing the best services and providing the best auto repair in town.

Check out their website: http://alpinatechgermanautorepair.com

How to Stay Fit While at Work

Every single person that works in an office behind a desk is aware of how much time they spend sitting on a chair. In fact, many people will spend over fourteen hours a day sitting in public or private transport, then sitting at a desk, and then sitting in the evening in front of the television. This can mean that you start to notice that you are starting to put on a little bit of weight. You haven't started eating more, and as you are a small business owner you don't have hours of leisure time to go running or join a gym – so what can you do to stay fit whilst you work?

1.     Pay attention to what you eat.

It is all too easy to not realize that you are eating more and more when you spend your days sitting a desk. Coffees and teas add up the calories, as do the biscuits that you'll almost definitely eat with them. You may have a packet of crisps to see you past the long afternoon, some sweets that you share with a colleague, and before you know it, you are consuming 500 extra calories a day. Doesn't sound like much? That's an hour of running to you and me, and so if you want to avoid the need to do exercise, cut down on the extra snacks.

2.     Walk to work as much as you can.

Adding in just half an hour of exercise to your daily routine will greatly increase your fitness, and if you include it in your journey to work, then you'll barely consider it exercise. You'll be able to appreciate the beauty of your way to work, as well as listen to music or an interesting podcast. You could even ring a friend and catch up with them!

3.     Use a standing desk.

Although standing desks are not currently typical in every office, they have huge health benefits. Standing up while you work will keep you alert for longer, and it will increase the blood flow to your head, keeping those brilliant ideas coming all day. Your posture will also be good, and should prevent you from getting any back pain later on in your working life.

4.     Pace whilst on the phone.

Again, this will introduce exercise into your daily routine without you losing out on any business time. By using a hands-free device, you will be able to move freely in your office without being restricted, and without knowing it, you could easily add another thirty minutes of walking into your day.

Website Example: El Campesino Mexican Food

El Campesino Mexican Restaurant is number one in offering the best Authentic Mexican Food in all of northeast Georgia. El Campesino has received great recognition by different state
and local media, and is well established by all our clients and friends. All our plates are prepared fresh everyday using the best cuts of meat and the freshest quality ingredients......

Check out the site at: www.elcampesinomexicanrest.com

How a Website Domain Name Can Help SEO Rankings

When you are thinking about starting up and building your own website, you want to make sure that people will not only want to look at it, but be able to find it when they do want to look at it! The best and almost only way to do this is to have your website appearing high in search engines – but what is the best way to get your rankings up?

The majority of people stuff their websites full of content that has high SEO words. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, and it means that you constantly and consistently use words and phrases that you think your intended audience will be search for in search engines. For example, if you run a business that offer great double glazing offers, then phrases that you will want to put on your website because potential customers will be searching with them may include 'double glazing deal', 'double glazing offer', and 'cheap double glazing'. This will help search engines understand what your website is about, and then can show it to people searching for those things.

That's all very well: but the best websites, the ones that have incredibly high SEO rankings and are frequently visited by thousands of people are the ones that are using SEO in a totally new and unexpected way. They are utilising the domain name itself to increase its SEO ranking. That is, they are using keywords within their website address to make it more easy for search engines to understand what their website is about.

This is sadly not always as easy as it sounds. Some of the best domain names that include brilliant keywords for your business may already be taken. However, there is always a way around it. Considering the same double glazing business, if www.doubleglazing.com is taken, why not see if www.cheapdoubleglazing.com is free? Although not as simple, it actually describes your website more accurately, and contains more SEO words that a search engine will instantly recognise. That means that your website could actually appear higher up on google.

When you know your market and your competitors, you will be able to see what domain name choices they have made. Be smart, and link into your domain name keywords that are not only SEO linked to your business, but also unique to your business. Find that singular aspect of your business which makes it great, and use it in your domain name – and wait for the visitors to roll in.

Does your business website need a new look?

One of the most googled questions is “what did old Facebook look like?” and it's a rather hilarious trip down memory lane if you decide to check that out yourself. But what's really strange is this: Facebookis altering their look every twelve months or so, but everyone still recognizes it as Facebook.

In fact, there is an argument by some people that one of the best ways to keep your website fresh and exciting to your viewers is to update your look, and nothing could be more important for a business website to keep people on their site long enough to make a sale. But what is the point of re-inventing yourself, especially if you create a completely new website that your frequent customers no longer recognize?

Here's something to think about: if your website layout and design is too out-dated, it's going to make your business look out-dated. Potential customers will just switch off mentally, subconsciously assign you to that group of businesses they don't deal with, and move on. Definitely a reason to update your style.

On the other hand, it could be that you need to simplify and streamline your website instead of giving it a total make-over. If there is too much clutter in your menus, links that don't go anywhere, and references to events or markets that no longer exist, you are guilty of this, and your business will suffer. In the era of quick information, if someone has to spend more than two minutes searching for something on your website they are just going to give up and look elsewhere. Another great reason to re-think what layout does for your business.

Technology is moving at such a fast pace that you may get left behind, so pay attention. Is your website available on mobile internet? If not, time to make it so. Even better, invest a little time and money and create a free app that millions of people will be able to download to better view your website wherever they are.

However, there is an element to this that you need to keep a careful eye on: branding. The reason that Facebook from ten years ago is still distinguishable as Facebook is because they have such a strong branding history. Even that shade of blue is now subconsciously considered to be 'Facebook blue'. Words within their branding has slipped into our language, such as 'facebooking' a good photo to someone, or 'disliking' a friend's haircut.

If you think that it's time for a change for your business website, make sure that your branding is strong enough to carry the change. Keep your logo, or update it in small ways to keep your clients along with you. Unless you really need to, don't change the primary color that your business is associated with. And remember: if you don't like it, you can always change it!

When it’s time for a website update, Freewebzite.com can help.

Learn about Freewebzite.com website design services.