Alchemy Internet

Google Apps: Battle In The Clouds

Web Team — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:53:31 +0000

Google Apps is one of the most popular cloud apps today. It is now used by both businesses and individuals to store critical data.

Business-wise, Google Apps plays even more important role. Check this out: 20 percent of Google Docs users are having more than 350 documents stored in their Google Apps accounts. Moreover, 48 percent of Google Calendar users have more than 900 Calendar events stored.

But those figures are not coming out of procrastination, as Google Apps can’t afford to do so – there are other powerful alternatives (some even considered as more powerful than Google Apps, such as Microsoft Office 365.)

To get you the big picture, check out this cloud computing infographic featuring some interesting stats on Google Apps.

Fight for the Future

Web Team — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:19:47 +0000

On Wednesday Jan. 18th thousands of sites will go dark to protest SOPA & PIPA, two US bills racing through Congress that threaten prosperity, online security, and freedom of expression.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet

Biden on Internet Freedom = Anti-SOPA

Mobile Is Changing Social Media

Kevin De Souza — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:53:08 +0000

This is another interesting infographic, this time around how mobile is shaping the way social media is consumed. It’s interesting to see that from these stats, 25% or more than 100 million facebook users access from a mobile phone, and those who do, are twice as active on social networks compared to people accessing from a computer!

The 35-54 year old bracket is the most active mobile social users!

Google’s Groupon Equivalent

Kevin De Souza — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:16:51 +0000

Google.com has introduced adverts for daily deals to its searchers. This service is called “Google Offers“. It’s currently in beta thefore its only available for 42 cities in United States but they do plan to expanding to the UK late 2012.

What is Google Offers?

Google Offers is a deal-of-the-day website that will be localized to major geographic markets in the United States and abroad. Google launched the website in January 2011, after they attempted to buyout competitor Groupon for a reported sum of US$ 6 billion was turned down. Google are “communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a prepaid offers/vouchers program. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new products … that connect businesses with customers in new ways.

Users receive an e-mail with a local deal of the day.
They then have the opportunity to buy that deal within a specific time limit (usually 24 hours).
Unlike Groupon, an offer on Google Offers is valid regardless of how many people take it.
Google Offers is powered by Google Checkout and integrates with Google Wallet. It will also include Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, Google Buzz and e-mail sharing options.

Google Offers are equivalent to Groupon or Wowcher.

Mobile Statistics and Facts For 2011

Kevin De Souza — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:46:15 +0000

Microsoft Tag has just released a infographic highlighting statistics on how people are using mobile phones in 2011.

The infographic shows that In 2014, mobile internet usage will overtake desktop internet usage and already in 2011, more than 50% of all “local” searches are done from a mobile device. Plus over 1 billion of the worlds 4+ billion mobiles phones are now smartphones, and 3 billion are SMS enabled (weirdly, 950 million mobile phones still don’t have SMS capabilities).

86% of mobile users are watching TV while using a mobile phone, 200+ million (1/3 of all users) access Facebook from a mobile device and 91% of all mobile internet use is “social” related.

Plus 29% of mobile users are open to scanning a mobile tag to get coupons.

I have also included a great video that features a array of great mobile “growth” statistics, stats and facts for 2011.

The ROI Of Social Media

Kevin De Souza — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Is social media marketing effective? That’s the question being asked as more and more businesses are investing in increasing amounts of social media marketing. With no standard means of measurement, there’s a wide variety of goals and metrics used to define the ROI of social strategies. Fortunately, this enlightening infographic, developed by MDG Advertising, helps clear up the confusion by outlining the objectives, benefits and factors that affect the success of social media marketing.

Bollards2u

Web Team — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:47:57 +0000

Bollards 2 U specialise in the supply and installation of security bollards, canopy structures, smoking canopies, street furniture, smoking shelters and recycled plastic products. They have an extensive range of products that include recycled plastic products as well.

Objective

Redesign existing website with a new fresh look.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Include a latest news section.
Users must be able to share content to popular social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc).

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.bollards2u.co.uk/
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: WordPress, HTML5, CSS3, jQuery

Freshfield Services

Web Team — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:13:52 +0000

Freshfields has successfully delivered resource solutions to multinational firms in Outsourcing, Information Technology and Business Consulting / Advisory since 2003.

Objective

Redesign the branding for the company
Redesign and build a new fresh look and feel website.
Website must be easily updated via a content management system.
Users must be able to see all vacancies available.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.freshfieldservices.co.uk/
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: Wordpress, PHP, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Daniel Stores

Web Team — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:21:34 +0000

Daniel stores are one of the oldest department stores in the country. They are a family run business since since 1901. Daniels have a range of furniture, beds, household goods plus the largest toys department in the south of the West End.

Objective

Redesign the website with a fresh professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Implement an eCommerce solution.
Integrate a secure payment gateway.
Optimise the website for search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing).

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.danielstores.co.uk
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System, eCommerce, Custom Web Applications, Integration, Search Engine Optimisation
Technologies Used: ASP.Net, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

ProKit

Web Team — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:42:37 +0000

ProKit UK is a sporting goods retailer offering high quality products from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.

Objective

Redesign the website with a fresh professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Implement an eCommerce solution.
Integrate a secure payment gateway.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.prokituk.co.uk/
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System, eCommerce, Custom Web Applications, Integration
Technologies Used: ASP, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

PHA Digital Blog

Web Team — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:44:54 +0000

PHA Digital make it their business to be experts in all the latest digital PR trends, so that they can deliver the best results for their clients. They create original online campaigns, from building social media communities to producing viral videos. Their knowledge and experience allows them to identify the needs of your business, delivering campaigns that meet your bottom line.

Objective

Design a blog for the digital department that is clean and readable.
Blog to be easily updated via a content management system.
Include the ability to share the post on Facebook, Twitter & Google+.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.pha-media.com/digital-pr-blog
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: Wordpress, PHP, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Trace Recruitment

Web Team — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:28:19 +0000

Trace Recruitment are a new type of recruitment consultancy specialising in accountancy & finance and marketing, branding & insight. They help you find the right candidate that will fit your company or team.

Objective

Design the website with a professional look and feel.
All pages must be easily updated via a content management system.
Ability to add new jobs available.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.tracerecruit.com
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: XHTML, CSS, jQuery

T-Serv

Web Team — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:33:36 +0000

T-Serv are a Cloud computing integrator and market maker allowing leading vendor technology to be deployed and managed by resellers and agents to the SMB client market. As an early adaptor of SaaS solutions in the security space, they have the expertise and vision to provide the platform, features and support to allow their Partners to deliver effective, productive and margin making solutions to their chosen markets.

Objective

Design T-Serv Branding
Design new website with a professional fresh look.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Include a facility to signup for a free trial and become a reseller as well.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.t-serv.eu/
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: WordPress, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Online Telecoms

Web Team — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:01:15 +0000

Online Telecoms are one of the UK’s leading providers of mobile telephony business and consumer solutions. They specialise in delivering and managing handset and tariff options from all the carriers, providing a tailored portfolio from pay as you go through to leasing deals throughout the UK. Partnering with O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and 3; with devices from the widest selection of manufactures.

Objective

Create a website with a fresh professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Include a facility to signup and become a reseller.
Users must be able to request a quote.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.onlinetelecoms.co.uk
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: Wordpress, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Scandyna

Web Team — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:39:20 +0000

Tascom International Ltd, the exclusive UK distributor for Scandyna in the UK. They have a wide range of Scandyna Loudspeakers in the UK.

Objective

Design the website with a professional look and feel.
All pages must be easily updated via a content management system.
Include a protected area for dealers, login is required in order to view contents.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.scandyna-uk.co.uk
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Sakuma

Web Team — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:05:24 +0000

Sakuma started trading in the UK in 1999 with a small range of hooks imported from Japan; it didn’t take long for the hooks to catch on and with anglers appreciating the high quality of the product.

Objective

Redesign the website with a fresh professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Implement an eCommerce solution.
Integrate a secure payment gateway.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.sakuma.co.uk
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System, eCommerce, Custom Web Applications, Integration
Technologies Used: ASP.Net, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Ricol Leisure

Web Team — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:11:22 +0000

Ricol Leisure began trading in 2009 and has quickly established a competitive standpoint within the leisure industry. As one of the South-West’s fastest growing hot tub dealerships you will be sure to find them at any of the larger country shows in Devon, Dorset, Somerset or Hampshire. If you are looking for a hot tub in the South-West then there showroom in Weymouth, Dorset should be your first port of call.

Objective

Design the new website with a professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Implement an eCommerce solution.
Integrate a secure payment gateway.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.ricolleisure.co.uk
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System, eCommerce, Custom Web Applications, Integration
Technologies Used: ASP.Net, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

PHA Media

Web Team — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:29:09 +0000

PHA Media was set up in 2005 by former newspaper and magazine editor Phil Hall and is now the fastest growing PR agency in the top 75 in PR Week’s industry league table. PHA Media is now a top 30 independent agency and was recently cited by PR Week as a notable winner in 2011.

Objective

Redesign the website with a fresh professional look and feel.
Pages to be easily updated via a content management system.
Build a News feature to post all their latest news as well as have a news ticker.
Custom designs for each department within the company.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.pha-media.com
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: Wordpress, PHP, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

MPI Recruitment

Web Team — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:58:55 +0000

MPI is a recruitment and interim management solutions provider specialising in the global mobility arena.
Their team has recognised that the mobility industry was in need of a specialist recruitment company, staffed with people who really understood the types of roles and functions that go to make up a successful mobility team, and the very special types of people who excel in this demanding sector.

Objective

Design a new fresh look and feel website.
Website must be easily updated via a content management system.
Users must be able to apply for certain jobs
Plus include the ability to upload your CV and register for a vacancy.

Result

Launch Website

Information

URL: http://www.mpirecruitment.com
Our Services: Web Design, Content Management System
Technologies Used: Wordpress, PHP, XHTML, CSS, jQuery

Google’s “Google+ is Google”

Tom Edgley — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:03:51 +0000

Google+ is growing a lot now that it’s open to the public. It’s worth noting, but there is a much bigger picture in the social media competition conversation than Facebook users vs. Google+ users.

In Bradley Horowitz’s own words, “Google+ is Google itself. We’re extending it across all that we do—search, ads, Chrome, Android, Maps, YouTube—so that each of those services contributes to our understanding of who you are.”

There you have it. WHO YOU ARE. I would say it’s about who you are on the web, but those lines are getting blurrier by the day. Take Google Wallet, for example. If this becomes as widely adopted as Google hopes, you’ll be using it to purchase physical goods at physical stores on a regular basis. This isn’t just about online identity. It’s about identity.

Google+ is one of many gateways Google has for users to enter the Google universe and have that Google account available as their identity. Google has a tremendous advantage over Facebook in those terms. So many products. So many gateways. With Facebook, you’re either a Facebook user or you’re not. With Google, you may not be a Google+ users, but you may be a Gmail user or a Google Docs user or a YouTube user, etc. It’s all one in the same.

That’s not to say that Facebook is going to lose any ground here. Facebook already has 800 million users. That’s just ridiculous. Facebook has taken a very different path by essentially focusing on one product – the social network (and the platform around it), but they’ve done it better than anybody. They’ve done it so well that just about every brand needs to be involved in one way or another, whether it’s simply having a page or building apps, connecting content, logins, etc.

Facebook did things right when they needed to and blew every competitor in the social network space out of the water, and despite numerous feature additions, redesigns and other changes, there is no indication that it will be losing its spot in the social network chain of command.

The good news is that so far users don’t have to choose which identity they want to be their own. You can have a Google ID, a Facebook ID and a Twitter ID, and use them as you see fit. You can even have a Yahoo ID, a Microsoft ID, a LinkedIn ID, a MySpace ID, and whatever else you want (and that includes OpenID and things of that nature as well). What these companies stand to gain from being your primary ID is having you use more of their services, or spend more time with their products, which is when your ID becomes easier to monetize. Whether it be virtual currency or serving your advertisements, your ID is worth money. That may be a tough pill to swallow for some, but it’s how the world works.

You can live off the grid if you like, but it may get harder and harder to do so as more companies go paperless, and more online services find more ways to penetrate the physical world. Life may get harder to navigate without an online ID of some kind.

One very interesting element to all of this is that email still rules the Internet. Google ID? You get an email address. Even Facebook has email addresses now. To this day, you still need to have an email address to even sign up for Facebook.