‘Websites’

Google has the goal of ensuring faster and better search results for users. As such the search engine giant introduces new algorithms and changes to search result displays on a regular basis of which the most recent change has to do with sitelinks.

More Links Displayed

In the past the Google sitelinks were limited to about eight results, but now will be full-size and complete URLs. In addition, each sitelink now comes with a short text description which looks strikingly similar to normal search results and their descriptions delivered upon a search query.

Improved Search Results Display

The main idea of the sitelink is to help the user find sub-pages or links under a main domain. It is particularly useful for searching a large website even before getting to the landing page. With the sitelink the user can click on the relevant link and navigate directly to the sub domain or directory level of the website.

Brands Benefitted Most

The latest announcement by Google indicates that one can now expect up to twelve such links. In effect it will help the large brands to get the best results exposure and thus getter positioning at the organic SERP. With the system brand searches are definitely favoured and upcoming or unfamiliar brands will have to make more use of sponsored links – thus AdWords to get above the fold positioning at the organic SERPs. Top ranked sites will welcome the increase in sitelinks while small websites still struggling for position may find themselves even more alienated from the top of the fold positions.

Main Benefits of Sitelinks

The main benefits associated with sitelinks pertain to brand searches allowing the user to navigate to relevant pages within a website faster and thus increase the search functionality for the user. The intent of the searcher can be predicted better.  Brand owners benefit from sitelinks through more links now available, controlling searches to ensure that the users go to the relevant pages and also ensuring that the brand owner can display parts of a website which may have been overlooked without the sitelinking.

It boils down to top ranking. The better a site ranks, the more it will benefit from the additional links displayed. In effect only the number one site gets the benefit and thus all the more reason to fight for the top SERP spot. One should note that sitelinking favours brand searching rather than normal searches.

When Will the Sitelinks Benefit a Searcher?

If you for instance, want to know which movies show at a nearby movie theatre or want to get an idea of the exhibits displayed by a tradeshow host, you will be able to use the sitelinks. Although the ultimate goal of the search may be for some specific information, most searches start out broad.

Without the sitelinks the user may think that the results are not relevant, but with the links the user can get down to the specific pages because of the prediction of intend characteristics of the system. If the user wants to get an overview of the main or important pages of a site, the links listed will help a lot. Webmasters gain control over pages which may be missed the in normal searches.

How Have Sitelinks Changed?

Google has changed mainly the number of sitelinks (from eight to twelve) and the way they are organised. The links are now in columns for ease of reading and with more links listed, more access to the website is given. There are displays now for more search results. The links are now full sized URLs and with descriptions similar to normal search results, the user is aided in the search to locate a specific part of the site.

Algorithm Changes

Sitelink-rank is now combined with the normal SERP rank ensuring better quality in the lists. With the new algorithm duplication is avoided and the SERP is better organised. As such the results from the top ranking site will be organised under the top domain followed by the results of other sites.

Who will be able to see the Sitelink Changes?

Users with the updated Firefox browser, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 7 will be able to see the changes over the next couple of days.  Users with older browsers will not benefit at all.

The Top Changes Announced by Google

• The links are more visible with full size text and more distinguishable with a green URL.
• More links can be displayed. In the past a fixed number of links was displayed, but webmasters can now optimize for more link displays.
• Links can rank according to queries ensuring better results according to queries.
• Results from one domain in the past could show up in the normal search results as well as the sitelinks. Now the results from one domain will be listed under the top domain and thus make it easier to identify that the results are from one website.

More Webmaster Control

Google provides the webmaster with the required tools to manage the sitelinks for their sites. The webmaster can demote a link if it is not correct while the latest algorithms consider the demotions. One can also block a link and up to a hundred demotions can be made. Webmaster control is available in Google Webmaster Tools.

Areas Not Affected

One line links can still appear on multiple results and the links on ads don’t change.

In Summary of the Changes

Webmasters are encouraged to make use of the control features in Webmaster Tools to ensure accurate delivery of link results. The changes to sitelinks benefit brand searches the most and make for more reason to get top ranking in the natural search results for brand related queries. If a site is not yet in the top ranking, it is recommended that the webmaster makes use of sponsored links to appear above the line when queries are made. The changes in sitelinks have been made to improve search functionality and thus the user experience at Google. Evidently it will benefit the large brands and websites most.

Although many people still see WordPress as the ultimate blogging platform, it has also developed into one of the best Content Management Systems (CMS) for the web. More than 12% of the world’s largest websites make use of WordPress as a CMS system. The only real competitors in the same class are that of Drupal and Joomla. In terms of user-friendliness and ease of creation, WordPress outperforms the two main competitors. A brief discussion on why WordPress is the best CMS system is provided below specifically to highlight the many features of the platform. It is definitely the program to use if you are new to blogging, but advanced website owners benefit most from usage of WordPress because of the functionality offered by the program.

Content Management Systems

Web developers appreciate the end-user updating facilities. One doesn’t need to be a coding expert to update a page and can even add pictures, sound and video without any advanced web building knowledge once the CMS is in place. Companies needing update abilities from various offices around the country benefit in the sense that authorised users can login and update content. This helps to spread the workload of updating the site amongst several employees and makes it easier to ensure a completely updated website at all times. The user doesn’t have administration abilities and as such cannot change areas such as theme of the CMS or structure of the site. With the administrator thus still in control to limit changes to content rather than structure, the integrity of the site is not compromised.

Benefits of WordPress as CMS System

WordPress is certainly the best CMS for the small business owner and the preferred website and blogging system for web development companies needing updating abilities for their clients.

Quick & Easy To Install

Once the web developer has done the tweaking and adapted the site to your liking, it is easy to install new plug-ins. All you need to do is to select the one most appropriate and click to install. Uninstalling a plug-ins is as simple as clicking on a button.

Ease of Use

Apart from easy to use and free SEO tools, the WordPress CMS system has been created for the novice as well. Even if you only have limited HTML knowledge you will be able to create stunning posts and pages. There is no need to send the information to the webmaster who will then update the page. You can add content without fear of changing the site structure. Once the web developer has done the setup and lay-out of the site on behalf of the client, the client gains complete control over the adding of new pages and content.

SEO Advantages

WordPress is known as the best CMS system for a reason. It has several advantages including that of immediate search engine optimisation. Google loves WordPress sites as the sites can be well optimized and already fit the profile of a site that can be indexed with ease. If you want content to be available, searchable and ranking well almost immediately then make use of the program.

Superior Support

There is ample free support available from forums, WordPress, and blogs. If you need help simply type in your query at the search engine query box and there will be numerous sites covering from the most basic to advanced features of the program.

Loads Of Plug-ins To Enhance Functionality

A characteristic of an excellent CMS is that of flexibility. In the case of WordPress, the large number of extensions available by means of plug-ins is what sets it apart from other web content management systems. Whether you want to add a poll, calendar or more advanced extensions you will not be disappointed with the large range of free plug-ins to improve functionality of the site.

In-Depth Look At WordPress Extensions

As mentioned earlier numerous extensions are available to improve functionality. A brief look at some of the extensions will give you an idea of the power of the program and why so many website owners agree that WordPress is the best CMS around.

Customised Navigation

Apart from plug-ins available to create custom navigation, WordPress as CMS also allows for easy creation of custom navigation. This ensures a unique look and feel to your site. You can edit the header area of a template to include navigation or exclude such to your liking.

Multi-User Functionality

For the company that has numerous users, there is a User Access plug-in which enables restriction and organisation of users. It allows for the creation of groups of users and access settings accordingly. The CMS system gets a complete boost in terms of user management as you can even create a distinction between editor access and reader access restrictions. Comments and posts can be regulated ensuring a cohesive theme and of course, spam free website or blog. This is ideal for sites where content collaboration is essential and shows why WordPress is considered as the best CMS.

Time Saving Posts

For the person new to blog posts or content generation, the Flutter Plug-in is rather useful. With the plug-in post templates can be added and previous templates used to minimize time in writing pages or blog posts.

Static Page Creation

One of the features which make WordPress the best CMS is the functionality of static page creation. Instead of all the information appearing in the form of date stamped posts with newest ones at the top you can add a static page where information can be shared in the normal web page lay-out format. This can be used for the About Us, Home and Contact Us pages or can even be used for all of your pages except for the blog.

More Fields

If you need to add more fields for input, simply make use of the More Fields plug-in. It will enable you to add boxes where additional information can be added and updated such as publisher details or perhaps news flashes. These field boxes can be placed on any side of the Edit page.

The above features are only a few examples of the functionality offered by the program. There are many more plug-ins and superior features in the program, making WordPress the best CMS for small business and large multi-user corporate client companies alike. Contact iLead Online for assistance in setting up a WordPress web content management system.

To understand how to stop your child from surfing to Internet pornographic sites you first have to know how they could intentionally or unintentionally land at pornographic sites. The mind behind such sites is one that wants to get innocent surfers hooked. As such they offer direct and explicit content as well as hidden content. You want to prevent your child from getting to any of the content.

Teasing Content

Pornographic website owners post teasing content in the form of pictures at their sites with the idea of luring new users. If a child has unrestricted access to the Internet, curiosity can take over and it is not long before some rather explicit content is accessed by your child. The images stay in their minds for a long time and can even trigger further interest. As parent you have the responsibility of protecting your child against such images. If the child is already computer literate and a good web surfer he or she will also be able to turn safe search features off.

Safe Search

Google and other major search engines provide a safe search setting. It is, however, important to note that it is only a first line of defence against a child surfing to Internet pornographic sites. Do not rely on it alone to protect your child. Apart from easily being turned off, porno website owners also use other methods of getting someone to visit and get hooked on their content.

How Children Stumble Across Explicit Adult Content

Innocent surfing can lead to web porn sites because the website owners make use of keywords which children would type in to lead to their sites such as free games, kittens, animals, girls, and more. The Safe Search feature must thus be on at all times to prevent the child from accidentally stumbling on a site when searching for information on something as innocent as kittens.

Pornographic Pop-ups

The pornographic website owners also make use of pop-up windows to advertise their content. Just one or two pictures are needed to get the curiosity flowing and if your kid clicks on the invitation he or she will enter an adult world filled with explicit pornographic images. As such ensure that the browser pop-up blocker is enabled to prevent your child from accidentally surfing to an Internet pornographic site.

Misleading Content

Not all adverts are direct. Some of the pop-ups, banners, and other forms of advertising start all too innocent. A pop-up or advert for game codes can appear or perhaps your child is already at an online freeware game site. What you don’t know is that once the child clicks on some of the games other pages open with pornographic images. The pornographic website owners also make use of misleading domains to trap innocent surfers.

They can easily register a domain such as a museum or game domain and while your child surfs the Internet for information to use for a school project they can get to site that looks legitimate at URL level, but once they click on one of the navigation links end up at a full adult site. To prevent this from happening, you should have Safe Search enabled as well as pop-up block. In addition, you will need to ensure that you have a firewall installed that prevents specific websites from being displayed. Note that a large portion of these sites misuse well-known brand names with which children associate to get them to their sites for example, Barbie and other well-known brands. You cannot protect against such with only safe search, pop-up blockers, and a firewall. You will need to invest in software to protect against surfing to pornographic Internet sites.

Email Content

Unsolicited email is a huge problem for most Internet users, but even more so if the email looks innocent enough. You need to ensure that the firewall protection is on as well as the anti-virus program to immediately block any such emails. Note that not all can be blocked and some may slip through. In this instance, parental control over emails is a must. Ensure that specific words in the subject line of emails lead to blocking of the emails. In addition, set the email client so that the child cannot click on a link in the email to open a browser.

Active Steps You Can Take To Stop Your Child from Surfing to Pornographic Internet Sites

Now that you have an idea of how kids stumble upon or intentionally get to pornographic content on the Internet, you will want to take every possible step to prevent such:

• First line of defence – enable Safe Search.
• Disable pop-ups.
• Disable Active X content.
• Install an excellent firewall program and ensure that it is updated regularly.
• Set the email client not to allow link following in the email body.
• Educate your children about the dangers of pornographic sites and information sharing.
• Set specific guidelines regarding usage of the computers at home.
• Don’t allow your child to provide any personal information for the sake of entering a game or online site or any other reason.
• If your child is over 13 years, he or she most probably has a Facebook page. Make sure you are added as a friend to be able to monitor what is said at their Facebook page.
• Allow for open communication with your child to ensure that they know they can trust you because you want them to come to you if anyone sends them messages which they don’t like.
• Set the computer settings to maximum security.
• View and clear the search history daily and ensure that your children know that you allow usage of the computer and surfing on the Internet with the condition that you will have access to check once a day.
• Install a good software filter to stop your children from surfing to Internet pornographic sites.
• Install kid safe search browsers to prevent accidental surfing to pornographic website content.

One of the best online information resources for help on how to stop your child from surfing to Internet pornographic sites is to be found at GetNetWise.com. If you need help in setting computer settings, installing software filters and monitor computer usage, you will find the resource of value. Get advice from your computer technician regarding the best firewalls, virus programs, and browsers as well as content filters.

The Google algorithms change all the time and as such announcements about the company targeting low quality content don’t cause tremendous ripples on the surface. The general speculation, however, is that content farms are next on the chopping block. Google Panda has search engine marketers work round the clock to ensure that their client sites comply with all requirements for good ranking and are free from so-called junk or spam type content. The newest adjustment to their Google Panda algorithm may be a bit more difficult to address.

How Does Google Evaluate High or Low Quality Content?

One will first have to know how Google evaluates content and identifies spam before pro-active steps can be taken to limit the effects of Google Panda. Unfortunately the information has not been shared widely, but the following factors may play a role:

• Whether a website is generally a content farm where numerous topics are covered by a range of authors or whether the site covers a specific niche.
• Author Rank may become more important as Google will give more attention to articles written by a higher ranking author than one with a poor rating.
• The general length and depth of the articles as well writing style may be assessed (doing so will take loads of manpower or highly intelligent bots though).
• Authority level of the author and site on a topic. A site containing articles about maize seeds for instance, will be frowned upon if it also covers pregnancy, televisions etc.
• The age of the site will still be important.

When considering Google’s announcement one must agree that it does seem as if content farms are the targets rather than normal websites. Whereas one in the past would have added an article section to a website where the marketing articles featured, it may become necessary to integrate the articles in the various website categories as to prevent Google from viewing those as spam type content. This of course, is still mere speculation, but it does pay to reflect on possible scenarios.

Shallow Content

Google mentioned low quality and shallow content in their announcement. The normal website publisher may become wary of the terms, especially if the site owner has not hired a professional content writer. In general, it should not affect the average website where the content is not churned out at an enormous rate simply to have information that could be indexed. If a site owner or SEO company focuses on the provision of in-depth quality articles rather than marketing the company in every possible article, they have no reason to be concerned.  The content farms are known for some low quality content, but many of the articles are well written. Some articles may get a push in the ranking simply because of the author rank, while others can get a shift into the sandbox.

Why the Drastic Steps?

Google has not announced loud and clear that the target is content farms, simply that they are considering numerous changes because they want to ensure accurate, relevant and high quality search results for their users. Google has come under fire recently specifically on the topic of quality of search results. It is thus an effort by the company to save reputation and thus restore integrity of their search engine. Sites offering content that is strikingly similar to information at various other sites may also become targets.

The recipe for success in search results thus includes the major ingredient of originality. Sites such as Article Base, eHow, and Ezine obviously will have to do cleaning and be strict on the acceptance policy. It is difficult to control content which comes free. If you don’t pay anything for the articles, you thus don’t have much leverage. According to Google around 12% of searches are affected in some way or another by the changes Google has made in its algorithms.

Matt Cutts heading up the spam cutting at Google mentioned in a recent blog that high quality sites will be rewarded. Just how, one will have to wait and see. It does seem that anonymous articles don’t fall in the category of quality and as such the name associated with an article, may very well become even more important.

The Upside

High quality content creators have on numerous occasions complained about the copying of their content by other sites. The new changes in the algorithm will help to reduce copying of articles and simply rewriting content sourced on the Internet. As such the SEO companies making use of high quality content writers will have no problem and may indeed benefit from the changes made by Google. It is rather frustrating for a company to invest in solid quality content generation to simply find numerous websites with strikingly similar content two or three weeks later. The changes will bring back integrity to SEO and content generation and although some may feel the panic attacks coming on, for the most part, quality content writers and SEO companies will appreciate the changes.

Tips for Getting On the Good Side of Panda

• Remove content that is similar on all you pages. This means that if you have a little paragraph or sentence that is placed on numerous pages of your site that it will be best to remove such.
• Check affiliate sites for duplicate or similar and low quality content about your products and remove where necessary.
• Delete any pages from your index which are no longer used – cut the dead wood.
• Remove small letter links from the bottom of your pages – not all, only the ones that can be seen as spam links.
• Control the content at sub-domains to minimize duplication and low quality content.
• Remove any graphics and navigation which can cause slow loading speed.
• Ensure that there are no repeats in the headings of pages.
• Create original titles and ensure that when you add articles to your site that the content is not only original in the sense that you have generated such instead of copying, but each article must differ considerably in content from other articles on your site.
• Keyword selection becomes important as articles covering similar keywords can be seen as too similar. Choose distinct keywords and where you can, remove tags which can get the Panda upset.

Numerous high quality sites have been hit by the latest Panda changes and are struggling to make a comeback. The best advice is to keep creating original high quality content that offers value to the reader and to follow the principles of good SEO practice to ensure that your website is not seen by Google as one of the content farm sites.

Mobile sites and their usage grow by the day. Also known as mobi sites or as some write it mobisites, are fast overtaking normal desktop based websites. According to a DotMobi study the growth of new mobisites is enormous showing that from over 149 000 in 2008 to more than 3 million such sites have been registered in 2010. In addition, the social media networks such as Facebook have large numbers of users which login to the social applications by means of their phones. According to Facebook the figures suggest more than 199 million users which login to their site via their mobile phones.

With every new technology there is resistance and there is embracement. The resistance normally comes from those who have already invested a lot into an existing technology and don’t want to re-invest in the new technology, but a business owner that wants to survive changes must adapt. The pc website market is shrinking and mobile market growing.

One may argue that there is no reason to create a mobile website if the users can login from their phones in any case, but there are several differences between mobi sites and the conventional websites which should be noted. In short, the mobile user doesn’t find the conventional website mobile friendly. With loads of heavy graphics, Java scripts, Flash and other bandwidth intensive design tools, the mobile user gets a slow loading page which isn’t easy to navigate.

More and more mobile users migrates to the mobisites specifically designed to fit well on their mobile screens, load faster, browse easier and take up less bandwidth as well as memory. Of course mobi sites are not as visually stimulating as the conventional websites and don’t show the same versatility, but users on the move want sites which can be used on their mobile phones with ease.

One can continue to design only the conventional website and have the mobile users struggle to use the site, but if they find something more user friendly, they will leave the site immediately, never to return. The younger generation of Internet users are also experts on mobile usage and if you don’t want to see your market dying a slow and agonizing death, you will need to create a mobisite and a conventional website.

Don’t think of the mobi site as portable site only. It is far more than that. It is an innovative and advanced way of interaction with the visitor. Modern consumers carry powerful computers in their hands and pockets; used as phones as well. They want to get value for their money and with more mobility offered rather browse from their phones and tablets than from desktops. Studies have shown that desktop usage is still huge during the day, but mobile usage surpasses that during the evenings. The users browsing during the day do so from their offices at work where desktops are connected via the network, but once they leave office they migrate to mobile usage. As such website owners need to take notice and adapt their interaction with users.

Some important considerations for creation of mobi sites are:

• Create a site that can use the mobile device capabilities.
• Mobisites must be created with loading time in mind. The site should load in two clicks and thus under ten or twelve seconds.
• Browsing should be easy without the need to zoom in.
• The mobile site must provide enough incentive for interaction through means of competitions, discount coupons and prize draws.
• People on the move love sharing and the mobile site must make it possible as well as be so addictive as to ensure return and viral marketing.
• Convenience is another reason for using mobile websites. People want to interact where they are and as such you need to ensure that the mobisite can be used on the spot and in-store for specials.
• Mobile users want to find information rather quickly and as such they don’t want to wait for pages to load or have to go through several menu steps to get the information.
• Don’t just re-design a desktop website to fit on a smaller screen, but run two distinct sites which can ensure that both desktop user and mobile user requirements are met.

Smart Phones are Taking Over

Bandwidth changes to 4G and the lower lag enables mobile users to surf fast. With that then, more users migrate to mobisites in South Africa because of our slow connectivity via desktop. The majority of new handsets can connect to the Internet. With four times more mobile users than desktop users in the world including South Africa, there is thus a big untapped market available for the innovative thinker, willing to create a stunning mobisite. Studies furthermore indicate that about a third of mobile browsing is done for local content. This means that the mobile user is on the lookout for businesses in their immediate environment and thus more geographically targeted.

Google Android and South Africa

The Google Android platform is already widely used worldwide and although still not the most popular platform in South Africa, it is making inroads in the mobile operating market. Google Android is growing rapidly with more than 17% of the market already belonging to the platform as evident in the sales figures of more than 190 000 Android mobile handsets sold daily. Android is currently just behind the Symbian and closing in on the gab. The secret to a successful mobisite is adaptability for various platforms. As such it is extremely important to cater to Android, Windows, Symbian and Apple to name, but a few of the big players.
The implications are important for any business owner. Whether you are a publisher of content or a seller of products you need to also cater to the mobisite user. Many website owners still only think of mobile platforms such as iPhone or Blackberry, but with Android mobile handsets becoming more popular the web browsing is fast moving from desktop to on the go mobile browsing via mobile handsets. New entrants to the market will also mean more platforms to cater for and as with any new trend, businesses that want to capture a large share of the market, need to move fast to get a foothold in the new browsing environment.

You can make your current website mobile friendly or you can create a custom mobisite to ensure targeted design for various platforms. Google has indicated that mobile browsing has grown even more than expected. The news headlines have shown that mobisites have grown with more than 2000 percent, not something that can be ignored if you are a serious marketer. The top performing websites also offer mobi sites to their users. Even if your site doesn’t count under the top 10 000 or so, you can easily ensure a user friendly mobisite experience.

Google Androids are so successful because Google has ensured variations. There are various types ensuring more choices for the consumer. Androids are well priced and personalisation is not compromised. Full integration with various Google applications is possible including vital applications such as Google Maps, YouTube, Chrome and Gmail. With Androids running on open source Linux, new developments are possible while the consumer is not expected to pay additional license fees for such.

It has been said that Android products can easily outperform Blackberry products in South Africa. Although South Africans are slow to catch on to Android when compared to the US, the Google Android mobile market is growing steadily. The mobile networks in South Africa need more development to ensure that unlimited data offerings can become a reality. The networks need upgrading to be able carry larger number of mobisite users. With the expectation being that South Africa will also receive more bandwidth over time because of the cable which has been laid under the sea, business owners have a lot to look forward to.