This week, I think I will shamelessly peddle Google‘s excellent suite of (free) apps that could (and should) be utilised by SME’s, particularly in a time of financial troubles. Using the full suite essentially places all of your data and entire workflow in the cloud, meaning you can access it all anywhere, any time, from any Internet connection.
The first big advantage of Gmail, like all the apps discussed here, is that it functions in the cloud. You don’t have to worry about downloading messages to multiple locations or syncing various devices. Your inbox will look the same from any web or mobile connection.
Google Docs is a web-based suite for word processing, presentation building (similar to PowerPoint), spreadsheets, and web forms. All the work is done in a web browser, and all the data is saved in the cloud.
The software can be a bit quirky at times, which may frustrate users of more stable products like Microsoft Office, but the payoff in online storage, shareability, and collaboration options may be worth the adjustment for many small businesses.
The above are simply the 2 most popular of the apps available. Check out the rest of this Mashable article for a detailed account of the full suite of Google apps….
Jacob Nielsen in 1990 proposed usability heuristics that web designers could use to evaluate user interfaces. These heuristics are not a hard and fast set of rules to follow, but rather some useful pointers and rules of thumb to aid user interface design.
Heuristic 1 – Help and documentation
Ryanair - poor customer service
Ryanair:
The booking process on the initial screen is simple and negates the need for documentation.
There is a customer service tab but it is on the periphery of the navigation options.
As you progress, the booking process is relatively straightforward with no real need for help. The option would be useful though.
The ‘Services’ screen has a poor layout with no evidence of customer service as they preset charges to the user.
Mark: 5/10
Aer Lingus:
Aer Lingus - evidence of customer service
Initial booking screen is less cluttered, with help and customer servicereadilyavailable.
The ‘Select Flights’ screen is well laid out with help available.
As the user progresses, the user is presented with useful information points and an explanation of all charges.
The use of breadcrumbs throughout the entire process is an excellent feature.
Mark: 9/10
Heuristic 2 – Aesthetic and minimilist design
Ryanair - Distracting Google Ads
Ryanair:
Initial screen is cluttered with ads and unnecessaryinformation (e.g.) Cruise Holidays.
Google ads are present on the ‘Select Flights’ page and are extremely distracting.
Poor choice of font and colour scheme. Every page in the transaction process is cluttered.
Mark: 4/10
Aer Lingus:
Aer Lingus - tabular layout and excellent colour scheme
Well presented initial screen, use of a tabular layout. Very few ads, not cluttered.
‘Select Flight’ page is minimalist, with important information highlighted.
White and green colour scheme is an excellent template for the content to be displayed.
Mark: 8/10
Heuristic 3 – Error Prevention
Ryanair:
Ryanair - No evidence of error prevention
Booking details area allow user to choose a date previous to the ‘going out’ date.
Offers the user to select flights or else begin a new search.
Once the user reaches the ‘Services’ page, the option to clear lists and return are not present.
If the user doesn’t fill out your details and selects ‘Continue’, then the user is presented with a message box highlighting the errors.
Mark: 6/10
Aer Lingus:
Aer Lingus - Error prevention in effect
Large ‘Book Now’ button. System doesn’t allow you to select a return date previous to the going out date.
The ‘Continue’ button is clearly marked on each page.
When you select a day which has no flight, the system still allows the user to procede to the next page.
Quick post this week guys. Just want to highlight early buzz and pre-sales for the Apple iPad. A report by the Washington Post, aided by research carried out by Irish company O’Leary Analytics, has shown that pre-sales orders for the iPad are brisk, with an estimated 91,000 sales in just the first six hours of availability.
Revolutionary or gimmick?
Perhaps the iPad won’t be such a roaring success with some doubters still remaining. Friday’s pre-order mania was tempered by considerable ambivalence among the geeked-out on discussion boards and on Twitter. It remains to be seen whether Apple can replicate the success of the iPhone or the iPod; however, CEO Steve Jobs sure makes a convincing argument….
The expansion of social media and SEO as a serious advertising platform cannot be ignored by businesses, yet the adoption of those media in Ireland is painfully slow. Local and national businesses are crying out for advice and expertise in these areas and so far only one source provides this; Mulley Communications. They are a leading trainer in social media, online marketing, online pr, business blogging and other services. They utilise Twitter and blogs to impart their expertise and they can be booked for corporate training. Check out the video below for an example of the excellent work that they carry out.
The Attention Economy is a term used to describe people’s attention as a scarce resource, one which is of high value to businesses/companies/organisaitions worldwide; basically it is becoming the new currency of the web.
There have been developments in this area on the web in recent years but the real growth will be seen in future years, where content will be freely distributable and the advertisements linked to that content will be vying for your attention. The trick for companies is to monetise this new development. Here is an example of the attention economy being utilised and exploited:
Facebook
Defining social interaction
People are interacting at a level which wasn’t feasible in previous years and this will become more prominent as Facebook incorporates techniques that will promote and fuel the attention economy. Current attempts include the introduction of Facebook ads and applications which very often are free, their purpose being to draw your attention to a specific source (i.e. a website).
Future
The premise behind the future of the Attention Economy is that we will pay more for services/products that use our attention efficiently. This will especially affect TV online and customised advertisements during these shows. Check out the video below for a demonstration of the benefits (and disadvantages) of the attention economy.
Facebook has quickly become the defacto social media platform combining text updates, applications, video and photo content and is currently used by over 400million people worldwide. Traditionally seen as the preserve of university students, Facebook has reinvented itself and is attracting a more mature audience. This hasn’t escaped the attentions of companies and Facebook has accommodated their wishes and provided a number tools for businesses to utilise:
Facebook Pages
Great example of a Facebook page
A Facebook page allows a business to create a profile to display information relating to the company, interact with their customers in real time, and promote themselves through the use of innovative marketing strategies.
Check out this article for a comprehensive analysis of Facebook pages and the companies who have got it right.
Facebook Ads
Spoof Ads
Located on the right-hand side of a users Facebook profile, Facebook ads are becoming big business and offer a range of benefits over Google Adwords: the ability to specify the demographic you wish to target; the time(s) the ad is broadcast. Most important is the relatively cheap start up cost of $5, which then includes the option of specifying a daily budget (minimum $1).
Early reactions to these ads are positive and the future looks bright for this high growth medium and industry.
The first big advantage of Gmail, like all the apps discussed here, is that it functions in the cloud. You don’t have to worry about downloading messages to multiple locations or syncing various devices. Your inbox will look the same from any web or mobile connection.
