BMG Internet Marketing Blog

Google is the New Owner of Global IP Solutions (GIPS)

Today Google bought Global IP Solutions (GIPS) holding for $68.2 million.  GIPS makes voice and voice over IP software companies like Yahoo!, WebEx, Baidu (Ironic, no?) and AOL use for instant messaging.  As the new proud owner of the voice and video conferencing engine competitors use, Google is securing a strong future in all things mobile.

GIPS CEO Emerick Woods sent a letter to all his customers:

“You may have many questions regarding this announcement but for now, until the successful completion of the offer, it will be business as usual for us here at GIPS. You will continue to interact with the same team members and can expect the same level of support and commitment that you have received in the past. Google has informed us that nothing will change for current and prospective customers of GIPS. Following the completion of the Offer, Google intends to continue servicing GIPS’s customers in accordance with existing contracts while offering them the opportunity to transition to new offerings developed by Google. Although we will not have more significant details until the process is complete and full integration efforts are underway, we will keep you informed throughout as events arise.”

The message is loud and clear.  There are no guarantees.  Google will fulfill all GIPS existing contracts, but after that, “Bye bye competition.”

Google is a Growing Giant

Google becoming the ultimate authority in voice and video conferencing means they are bridging the gap between Google Voice, GIPS and the Gizmo5 purchase.  Search-engine giant Google has his hands in everything!  As people become more mobile, Google is covering all bases.  30% of people use smart phones now and by mid 2010 projected mobile usage is at 50%.  Mobile is the future and Skype is the last strong man standing.

Choosing A Free or Paid Web Analytics Tool Depends on your Terms of Investment!

Analytics invoke excitement and pride into many business owners as speculations are made over increased ROI and more traffic.   Such a great deal of excitement is filtered into the beginning stages of an analytic undergoing, and usually results in burn-out.  Enthusiasm dies when users realize analytics are harder than they look.

Some Considerations when Choosing an Analytics Program:

1.)    Analytics Take Personal Investment to Learn

Analytics is a buzzword you probably should not take too lightly.  The term sounds intelligent enough.  Analytics leave you at the forefront of technological conversation, alongside all other business’ knowledgeable enough to improve business conversions with the data.  However, when it comes to figuring out that detail, how to use analytics information, not every person or business is on par. Learning how to use analytics programs takes INVESTMENT.

2.)   Free Program Does Not Equal Adequate Program

One of the most popular programs, Google Analytics, is used by website owners across the globe, but that does not mean users reap the rewards.  For one, Google’s free program has many flaws including slow stat updates, no plug-ins allowed, information restraints (i.e. Google limits the number of  keywords and top sources the site shows, and only gives goal conversion percentages, instead of raw data), and Google may not synthesize the results correctly.  Plus, users with several analytic platforms claim Google’s reports do not match other analytics program reports.

3.)    Why the Inexperienced Should NOT Choose a Free Program

Eric Petersen of Web Analytics Demystified reasons:

• “Those deploying free web analytics solutions are more likely to treat web analytics as a casual endeavor, with 35 percent of survey respondents using free solutions reporting only an ad hoc use of their measurement tools, compared to less than 20 percent of those using licensed solutions.”

• “Companies using free tools are dramatically understaffed for web analytics, with 42 percent of respondents using free tools reporting having no dedicated resources, compared to only 18 percent of those using licensed solutions.”

•  “Individuals using free tools have less experience with web analytics in general, with 64 percent of respondents using free tools reporting less than two years of experience, compared to 32 percent of those using licensed solutions.”

Most companies using a free analytics tool have to spend the extra money saved to hire intelligent people. Companies serious about utilizing web analytics solutions should either hire someone knowledgeable to be responsible for the website’s analytics, or use a licensed program.

For the Ambitious Roughnecks

If you are willing to invest all your smarts, by all means choose one of the better free programs.  Learn by doing.  Let the web be your number one resource.  An oasis in the desert kind of deal.  A pit stop for all your analytics questions.  Hold your head up high, face to the wind, and run.  Go beyond the burn, set your pace, and make it to the finish.

With all that being said, here is a list of the “best” free and paid programs out there.

Note: If you have experience with any of these programs, please feel free to leave any insight.

FREE

Clicky

Clicky is simple to use and easy to look at.  Clicky prides itself on real time traffic results (an obvious charge on Google Analytics’ flaws). The program works on your iPhone.

Woopra

Woopra  also offers real time analytics (another Google stab), but the special thing about this one is the live window.  Users can see visitors arrive at a site, and even chat with them (not that you would necessarily opt to use this function).  Plus, the interface is beautiful and hypnotic as you watch the charts move before your eyes.

PAID

Mint

Mint offers up-to-the-second stats (there it is again), a nice design, and allows plug-ins (or in Mint terms, Peppers).  The best part about Mint is the $30 flat fee.

Omniture
Omniture stands as the do-it-yourself analytics tool with API’s, action alerts, and cross category analysis.  Omniture tracks social media networks to find who has been mentioning your name or product and even differentiates the mobile user.

Coremetrics

Coremetrics’ easy-to-use interface makes it the perfect accessory to any business, small or large.  It provides industry case studies and boasts an excellent customer service ratings (another reason why this is a great solution for the knowledgeable and the knowledge-less).

Web analytics tools help the user to moderate campaign effectiveness. The programs synthesize site data to show what a company can do to change.  Analytics tools are like a treasure map, sometimes confusing or indecipherable.  But, if the site owner is willing to invest time or money, he is well on his way to the discovery of a lifetime.  Think chests of gold and the thrill of the hunt.  With that rapturous spirit of yours, analytics can be fun and rewarding.  Be a part of the analytics buzz.  Oh, and “Land ho!”

Increase Business with Foursquare: The Mayor of Mobile Applications

Remember the days when you would stand in long lines waiting to challenge the boy in cut off jeans or the girl with curly red hair?  Maybe, you were having a good day.  While the other repeat offenders became well-acquainted with the end of the four square line, left to pout and look on enviously, you remained in the game.  You were king- busy, attentive, and proud.  Dennis Crowley combined the competitive four square attitude with business marketing to create the Foursquare phone application encompassing all the users in a city.

What is Foursquare?

Foursquare is a location-based application for the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry that connects the user with a business. Foursquare has an intoxicating effect.  A person takes on the role of urban explorer scouring the jungle, all while keeping a game face.  The program rewards users with badges when they “check-in” to a place.

For example:

1.) The user wants to spend a “night out” and starts at an old movie theater discovered from the Foursquare program.

2.) The application user is required to establish a connection with the employee to achieve “check-in” points from the place.

3.) The user competes against other users for frequency of visits to a place, whether it be the gym or the laundromat.

Sometimes, companies offer incentives to attract these game-faced people.  Companies may give 15% off or a free cupcake to the first 10 foursquare visitors.  Mayor status is granted to the most frequent visitor of a place.  Often, these participants are offered even greater reward, whether a beer or a free appetizer.  Mayors know better than to become cockeye or complacent though.  Mayor status is not fixed.  At any time, the mayor may be outmatched by one of the company’s other Foursquare frequenters.

Business Success Story

Owner of a burger joint in Milwaukee, Joe Sorge, offered application users the “Swarm Badge” for coming into his restaurant on a Sunday.  The badge is given for a gathering of 50+ people.  He promoted the event on Facebook and Twitter.  By the time Sunday came around, 161 Foursquare users showed up.  For Joe, this meant his sales increased 110% in one day.  Plus, more became aware of the burger joint’s presence.

What Foursquare Can Do for Your Business:

• Engage you customers.

• Establish your company presence in the community.

• Increase sales.

Customer Engagement

The application forces a dialogue between the user and the employee, putting a face to the company.  Remember, customer engagement is key to gaining authority and respect in your community.  When visitors review your site or company, the buzz they create shows on friends’ Foursquare pages.  PepsiCo’s Bonin Bough said, “From a broad strategy point of view, there’s a huge potential with the ability to connect people to promotional experiences.”

Cost of Success

Foursquare is a no-to-little-expense advertising opportunity not out of reach for non-retail or service industry companies.  There is unlimited potential to create buzz and get back on the top of your game.  Foursquare is more than a game for users.   It encourages business owners to be a little creative and harness social networking opportunities.  It is not too late to make a comeback with this application.  Develop a strategy to lure competition hungry people into your office.  Be king of the game and know:  success tastes so grand.

Local Business Center becomes Google Places.

Google’s name is synonymous with the word “Simplify.” When Google’s Local Business Center becomes Google Places, the launch is mostly about semantics. In true Google like fashion, Google Places represents the more sleek and chic minimalist version of what once was Local Business Center. The Local Business Center had offered Place Pages where businesses were able to manage their own presence on Google. A user could search a place based upon region, name, and/or category. Landing on a business Place Page gave access to business photos, reviews, office or store hours, address, updates, and even special offers. Google Places does the same thing as Local Business Center, only the name is more simplistic, and thus, less confusing. Also in Google-like fashion, the change came with some welcome, but mostly experimental improvements.

The Least Experimental, More Worthy of Note Changes:

• Service Areas: Now if you travel to serve customers you can mark the regions you cover.

• Simple and Cheap Advertising: This category is still on the fringe of benefitting the mass population, but it allows companies to advertise for only $25 a month. The $25 does not affect ranking, but adds a little yellow tag with a business’ special features right on the search page. The value of this investment could be beneficial if the company sets itself apart with coupons or special offers. This feature is only in Austin, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Houston, and San Jose, but Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, Boulder, and San Francisco will be added shortly. Come on Google! (This is one of the least experimental changes!)

One out of five searches are related to location on Google. Google Places makes the search engine your neighborhood friend. Whether you are a business owner or a user, the feature becomes vital to the community, connecting business with a target audience. What does this article mean to you if you already have a Local Business Center account? Do not take being excluded from Google Places experimentations personally! Or really, make sure you show-off your business marketing finesse and call Google Places by the right name.

Targeting the Ideal Client

Identifying Your Target Audience

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” -Bill Cosby