AmritRay - A Blog for Designers and Internet Enthusiasts

Discussing Possibilities Of A Business Without Google Traffic

joy — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:35:52 +0000

If you have been hit by the Penguin and Panda Update recently, then you might find this article interesting. Of course even if you were not hit by the Penguin, you can still consider reading this article. In this article we will discuss the possibilities of a business without Google traffic.

Well, it might appear to be an absurd thought at first, but if you consider the frequent change in the Google algorithms, you would definitely depend on certain tactics that don’t involve spamming the search results. It’s mainly about attaining a sustainable representation of business.

Even if you were not hit and you are trying your best to manage and get away with something, it can be only a matter of time when the next Penguin update is released. Now that can be the end of it. If you are still day dreaming that you won’t be affected by the Penguin and Panda update you must know that we can see different iterations of it.

Google had launched two Panda data in the month of April alone. Hence, it would be interesting to watch how often the new Penguin updates take place. As it is primarily aimed at hitting the spammers, we can expect more frequent updates to keep a break on the spammers.

Even if you were not affected by Penguin or Panda, and you are not spamming Google as well, you still must not be dependent on the Google Traffic for Business. Google makes more than five hundred changes to its algorithm every year. Hence, there remains the possibility that the search engine will further make certain changes that begins ranking the other websites above you.

When we consider traffic from Google, we usually mean the organic search. You can consider buying Adwords ads as one of the most effective and useful online marketing strategies like Linkedln ads, Facebook ads, AdCenter, content marketing, social media marketing that naturally brings searchers or visitors to your website. Apart from these, email marketing still has its tremendous effects.

If you are running a business online, you must avoid spun content at the first place. Don’t get worried about Google and you will definitely find a lot of ways to drive quality traffic to your website. In addition to this, you must always think about creating the traffic that usually does well for the other available channels and it is more likely that Google will even take that into consideration and you will be able to find a great variety of traffic sources to utilize.

Last but not the least, content is the most significant thing to take into account. Your content should be worthwhile, appealing and high quality as well and must have something that other people or your competitor are providing. All of these things can definitely help drive traffic to your website.

Highlights Of The Google Penguin Update

joy — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:26:07 +0000

If your website rankings have jumped down significantly in the last few weeks then you might have been hit by the latest Penguin Update. The news of Penguin Update was released on April 24, 2012. The update highlights on many things. For instance, it focused on site wide links, especially those that go against the Webmaster Guidelines of Google. Not only site wide links, over optimization and spun content were also the major highlights of this new update.

It’s almost 2 weeks now that the Penguin Update took place. This Penguin Update is considered as a ‘spam-fighting initiative of Google’ and is aimed at progressing things as planned from before. The main goal of this Google algorithm update is to improve the search results.

According to Matt Cutts who is heading the web spam panel of Google, Penguin Update is successful and will help in improving the search results. Matt Cutts explained that Penguin was distinctively intended to be very accurate and to act against pages with spam involved. In fact, the hitch might be that some of the spam involved might have got through; however, the advantage is that you have lesser sham positives.

As a matter of fact after Penguin Update was released, there have been certain reports of empty web site being ranked on the search results. Even hacked sites were found listed and scraper sites were found outranking the sites that they tattered. According to Matt Cutts, these are certain issues that already existed and perhaps were not due to this new spam fighting algorithm.

One of the major reasons why most websites were hit by Penguin was certainly bad linking. Some people might have bought links or have involved themselves in the linking networks or have used the WordPress Themes (sponsored ones). All of these have been targeted by the new update.

One of the most complicated things with this particular update was that websites hit by Penguin Update were actually considered to be spamming on Google. While in the past there was a provision to file reconsideration request. But, this time round, Google has specifically stated that reconsideration requests won’t be of any help for those websites that have been hit by Penguin. Those websites will recover naturally if they can clear the spam.

While Panda 3.5 which rolled out on April 19 targeted on the low quality websites only take into account the content and not the back link profile that Penguin highlighted in its update. Having said that if your website contains low quality pages and have obtained unnatural links are more likely to hit by both updates.

Last but not the least, if you have been hit by the new update, then it’s time now to remove low quality pages and links acquired from the non-relevant websites, especially links that were placed site wide. Improve your back link profile and send in a reconsideration request. It might be useful to highlight the links that you have chosen to take down.

30 Mind Blowing Music Wallpapers to Decorate Your Desktop

aparna — Sun, 13 May 2012 12:18:47 +0000

This post is just perfect of every music lover to decorate his or her desktop or computer screens. The post features 30 very high quality musical wallpapers that cover every aspect of your mood and personality. Whatever type of a person you may be, if you are a music lover, you would have to go through these wallpapers, and I am sure that you will find a few that you really love to decorate your computer desktop and screens. Then again, show me a person who does not like music, so I correct myself and say that these wallpapers are for everyone.

If you listen to one particular type of music, then too you find that the music wallpapers cover all styles of music, be it classical, pop, jazz, techno, rock etc. You will find wallpaper that describes your music and also look good on your desktop. They also cover a wide range of moods too.

These music wallpapers are absolutely free to download and use. So have fun and use them as you please.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

5 Beautiful Free Medical Icon Sets for Your Next Design Project

joy — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:44:36 +0000

Icons help spice up a website. Ask any web designer or graphic designer and he will tell you the importance of icons in design. Icons can be used in many ways in your designs or graphics. In websites they can also serve as image links, that is, the images can be used in place of text links to make the site more fun for the user.

Today I am showcasing medical icon sets that you can download absolutely free. These are great icons to be used in your medical design projects, be it for the web or the print media. The icon set includes many of the most common icons used in medical field which includes icons for pills, hospital icons, helicopter ambulance, blood drops, radiation signs and test tube icons. And a whole lot of other medical icons that you may require for such a project.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

The Centigrade Medical Series

Download this Icon Pack

Medico Icons

Download this Icon Pack

Medical Icons

Download this Icon Pack

Medical Vista

Download this Icon Pack

Medical Icons

Download this Icon Pack

23 Stunning and Dreamy Ancient City Landscape Illustrations

aparna — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:06:01 +0000

There is something about illustrations that I simply love. Illustrations give you the power to put magic in your work. An artist can put his imagination on canvas using illustration. That is preciously why I love illustrations. Photographs show you what is true; after all you can take the photograph of something that exists. Of course you can manipulate and enhance the photographs but nothing like illustration where you draw something out of your imagination.

Today’s theme is dreamy ancient city landscape illustrations. Therefore, it is interesting to see illustrations of ancient legendary cities like Atlantis and other mystical city landscapes as envisioned by the illustration artists. The landscapes are so different across every painting but one thing that remains constant is that the illustrations portray the misty city landscapes during night time. After all that’s the only way you can create the dreamy effect. It is interesting to see how the artists have envisioned the city landscape. You see the ancient cities in trees, forests, hills, near seas or oceans, on mountain tops, on caves etc. In fact some of the cities look futuristic rather than ancient.

Hopefully you will enjoy watching the dreamy ancient city landscape illustrations.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

Atlantis

Source : aksu

The Lost City

Source : jcbarquet

Eldt

Source : KingCloud

Secret Valley

Source : Alayna

Beacon

Source : andreasrocha

The Hidden City

Source : adib

Floating Island

Source : Star

Cave SoE

Source : dem888

Misty temple

Source : YuChengHong

Peak city

Source : Star

The Hidden City

Source : grantregan

The Nordic Gate

Source : Ginji

Netherworld Archipelago – the Capital

Source : JessevanDijk

The Forgotten Atlantis

Source : firedudewraith

Village

Source : LactroX

Medieval City

Source : GordonTarpley

Soul of the Freedom

Source : 6Doug9

Ancient lava city

Source : HeQun

Shpellë

Source : HeQun

Tree City

Source : Falindriel

Strong hold Lights

Source : PyroFirearms

Archisoilus, Master of the Ground

Source : Edarneor

Age of Thrones

Source : Alayna

31 Creative Examples of Character Illustration in Web Design

joy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:12:13 +0000

Web design is a very creative process and the challenge becomes even tougher when it involves the creation of character illustrations to be used on the website. Majority of the sites you see on the net uses either original business pictures or stock images purchased from other sites. Very few of them use character illustrations on their websites mostly attributable to the difficulty in planning and executing of such projects. Character illustrations need a certain degree of skill and creativity which also increases the cost and the amount of time required to execute such projects. No doubt, you see so very few of such sites using character illustrations.

Today I am showcasing 31 very creative examples of websites using character illustration. You can tell by looking at the websites the amount of time and energy that has gone into the planning and design of these websites. The character illustrations are witty, creative, funny, innovative, colorful, fun and a lot more. Have a look and let me know which ones you like.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

Mail Bakery

Site URL : Mail Bakery

Playtend LLC

Playtend are a small creative studio focused on making products that encourage imagination and creative play in children.

Site URL : Playtend LLC

First Annual Interlink Dodgeball Tournament of Chimpions

A dodgeball tournament put on by MailChimp and officiated by The Vancouver Dodgeball League

Site URL : dodgeball

Imaginamos

Web Design and Web Software from Colombia

Site URL : Imaginamos

Aylis

Aylis are experts at helping small to medium businesses grow online.

Site URL : Aylis

Pedro Lamin

Pedro Lamin Web Designer

Site URL : Pedro Lamin

S.O.S. Mamute

Site URL : S.O.S. Mamute

Bear CSS

Bear CSS is a handy little tool for web designers. It generates a CSS template containing all the HTML elements, classes & IDs defined in your markup.

Site URL : Bear CSS

Cheeky Monkey Media

Cheeky Monkey Media is a web design company that thinks outside the cage.

Site URL : Cheeky Monkey Media

Silverback

Site URL : Silverback

Nybble Tech

Nybble Tech is a premier web design services firm

Site URL : Nybble Tech

GetMeFast

GetMeFast is a premier internet consulting company

Site URL : GetMeFast

Mochi Media

Mochi Media is the largest online games network in the world

Site URL : Mochi Media

the Many Faces of the goonies

Site URL : the many faces of

Veboo Labs

Site URL : Veboo Labs

Shout

Site URL : Shout

Web Monkey

Web Monkey specialize in crafting unique websites with rich and user friendly features.

Site URL : Web Monkey

Themes Kingdom

Site URL : Themes Kingdom

Hello Geri

Site URL : Hello Geri

Foxtie

Foxtie creates engaging, content-rich, custom websites

Site URL : Foxtie

Cute Little Factory

Site URL : Cute Little Factory

Luhse Tea

Site URL : Luhse Tea

Anhalter des Jahres 2011

Site URL : Anhalter des Jahres 2011

Yipori

Yipori is made by Chris Alexander, an euthusatic illustrator and web developer based in Cirencester in the Cotswolds.

Site URL : Yipori

MEOMI

Meomi is dedicated to the creation of compelling visual experiences and narratives.

Site URL : MEOMI

espaciocreativo

Site URL : espaciocreativo

Isee

Site URL : Isee

Sam Rides to Paris

Site URL : Sam Rides to Paris

Susanna Ceccherini

Site URL : Susanna Ceccherini

Chimp Chomp

Chimp Chomp is a design studio in Surabaya, Indonesia providing Website Design, Photography, and Illustration services.

Site URL : Chimp Chomp

Michael Coyle

Site URL : Michael Coyle

33 Amazing and Colorful Landscape Photography

aparna — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:48:41 +0000

Landscapes differ from place to place and from country to country. Landscape is usually a stretch of land or scenery that you can see in a single view. The type of landscape you may expect to see in a place depends on its geography and climatic conditions. It is not possible for a place to have all type of landscapes so it is interesting to see the different types of landscapes that you may come across from different regions of the world.

Of course, it is not always possible to travel the world to see the different types of landscapes that the region offers. Therefore, today I am showing some amazing and colorful landscape photography. The landscape photography I am showcasing today covers almost all types of terrain, hills, mountains, plains, valleys, beaches etc. When I mention the type of landscape, it just sounds so very normal, but when you see then in the photographs, they all of a sudden become so very extraordinary. Nature is truly beautiful, and the way the photographers have captured these landscapes is just amazing.

My impression when I see these amazing and colorful landscape photographs is that they are actual photographs of some place on earth and I start imagining how it would feel if I could be at that place. I love travelling and I love to see new places. It would be almost magical to be in those places in the photographs. Nature has shaped the earth so beautifully and these photographers have done an amazing job at capturing the stark beauty of these landscapes.

Put yourself in my shoes and imagine visiting the landscapes below. It will definitely be a good form of relaxation therapy for you.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

Heavenly Reflection

Source : AtomicZen

Sunset of Color

Source : Rory Wallwork

Lightcatchers

Source : Marc Adamus

Giant’s Sunset

Source : danUK86

Explosion

Source : David Keochkerian

Granite Reflections

Source : David Richter

Sunflowers of the Storm

Source : Michael Breitung

Colors of Yellowstone

Source : Philippe Sainte-Laudy

The Middle-earth

Source : Simone Di Leo

Morning Mist

Source : Phawin Charoensook

Secret Land III

Source : Anne Mäenurm

Theater of dreams

Source : Mauro Tronto

The Other Side

Source : Paulo Penicheiro

Bisti Blue

Source : John Fan

Day Seven

Source : arbebuk

Grandeur

Source : Ian David Soar

Meteora

Source : Robert Szymanski

Autumn Fairytale

Source : Martin Rak

Meteora

Source : João Pedro Neves

Apocalypse comes

Source : Georgi iashvili

Holland

Source : Lars van de Goor

Tuscan Sunset

Source : Wojciech Ptak

Before Sunrise

Source : Karsten Wrobel

Beach Landscape

Source : CubaGallery

The Grand Canyon

Source : Alex Noriega

Rice fields

Source : juhku

Tibetan Texture

Source : Coolbiere. A.

Family Outing II

Source : David Keochkerian

Huayhuash

Source : Alexandre Buisse

Path to Wonder

Source : Dan Ballard Photography

Mystique du matin …

Source : Dare Turnsek

Red in October

Source : Matjaz Cater

Victoria Falls

Source : Aubrey Stoll

10 Ways to Get New Customers Using Social Media

amrit — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:43:52 +0000

Gone are those days when companies had to make themselves visible in order to get new customers. Posting advertisements in the press was quite common earlier but not anymore. There are several evidences that the personnel specialists are now aiming at the social media websites for potential customers.

1. Set up multiple accounts

The very first rule of the successful professional networking is to keep the business and pleasure separate. With several networking accounts you can present your best to the potential customers. You can set up 2 distinct accounts for business and friends on these networks that will enable you to classify your brand image.

2. Use the privacy settings on Facebook

It would be a good practice to create some business profiles on the business oriented social networks. There is no doubt that Facebook has turned to be an undisputed king as far as social activity of the net is concerned. Create separate list like work to add to your customers out there. You can add requests on friendship to either list. In order to make the people on the work list to check out the professional looking profile, you can make certain changes. There are options available that allow you to select exactly who sees what.

3. Be watchful about what you say

You must separate your personal and work lives. This is the most ideal way to create a professional image of your own online. This is one ideal way to make your personal branding. You would require presenting the best version of your work using the whole variety of social media tools available. Always watch your words whether you are tweeting, blogging or changing the status update on the Facebook.

It is quite easy to build your own credibility and reputation using the social media. On the other hand, it is also easy to damage it being capricious and careless.

4. Promote your know-how and Make yourself visible

Another most significant part of your personal branding strategy would be to establish yourself as one expert in this particular subject or field. The social media websites provide a lot of opportunities to promote yourself as the most leading light in your own area.

5. Share Quality Content

You can bring into line with some good content and then share it with others. To do so, answer to any questions on the user forums as well as the social networks. You can browse through the questions that the other Linkedln members have posted in your area of experience or a search by keyword. The more quality answers you offer, the more visible you can become.

6. Avoid Spamming

Always remember that aggressive self promotion techniques can distance people and friends. Therefore, you must avoid things that push your website with each status update or with inappropriate information to get yourself noticed. The key to keep followers and impress customers would be to balance your activity.

7. Follow right people

It’s a great tactic to make sure that you are actually making right contacts. You need to put together the list of services that you provide, who are your present clients so that you try and show your expertise. This way you would make the right approach to make friends with people on these networks who can work with you.

8. Consider joining some specialist groups

You should not just depend on the virtual friends for the leads. You can also consider joining specialist communities and groups online in order to get the best track and also promote your knowledge. Even the mainstream networking websites also provide a lot in this respect.

9. Make a video presentation

All your efforts of making yourself visible in the best way to right people will get noticed if you choose the right platform. Owing to the popularity of the online videos, you can consider getting a video done related to your services. If you are unable to make the professional production costs to the minimum then you can consider keeping things simple.

10. Measure impact

You can keep up the presence on a wide variety of websites. Therefore, you can actually measure your own success with people. Measure the traffic from every website and then avoid the ones that don’t work for you. In this regard, you can utilize web analytics tools like AWStats and Webalizer in order to check where it hits your blog.

21 Vintage and Retro Style Fonts You Must Have

aparna — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:40:14 +0000

Vintage fonts or retro style fonts are often required by graphic or web designers to complement their vintage designs or graphics with similar looking fonts. They are a must have for any designer. It is important to choose fonts that go well with your design and if the design happens to retro or representing the by gone era, then you must have a good collection of the retro or vintage fonts to choose from.

Today I am presenting 21 vintage and retro fonts that a designer must have. Download them or simply bookmark this page so that you can have access to the fonts whenever you have a requirement for vintage or retro style fonts. You will be surprised how often you may need them for your creative designs. They are also very good for use with designs using Typography. I always feel that these retro style fonts do stand out and therefore are good for attention grabbing. After all that is what the purpose is for all graphics or designs.

If you like this article, you might be interested in some of our other articles on

Budmo Jiggler + Jigglish

Download This Free Font

Riesling

Download This Free Font

JF Ringmaster

Download This Free Font

Little Lord Fontleroy

Download This Free Font

ARB 85 Poster Script JAN-39

Download This Free Font

Storybook

Download This Free Font

TrashBarusa

Download This Free Font

Moulin Rouge

Download This Free Font

Advokat Modern

Download This Free Font

Sucker Font

Download This Free Font

EcuyerDAX

Download This Free Font

Campanile

Download This Free Font

SaminoaDisplay

Download This Free Font

Meistersinger

Download This Free Font

Crazy Harold

Download This Free Font

Apollo ASM

Download This Free Font

Quaker Shade

Download This Free Font

Zebrra

Download This Free Font

Stripes Caps

Download This Free Font

Beauty School Dropout II

Download This Free Font

HeraldSquare

Download This Free Font

15 Creative and Beautiful Movie Poster Designs Using Typography

joy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:18:36 +0000

Movie posters can be very creative and eye catching at times and especially when they are designed using typography they become all the more important from a designers point of view. They have a special charm to them and look different. Typography is when designs are made using texts or fonts. Today I am bringing to you some 15 movie poster designs using typography. It is very interesting to see how each movie poster has been designed trying to express what the movie is all about in a unique creative way using typography and other graphical elements.

AmritRay - A Blog for Designers and Internet Enthusiasts

Discussing Possibilities Of A Business Without Google Traffic

Highlights Of The Google Penguin Update

30 Mind Blowing Music Wallpapers to Decorate Your Desktop

Music is My Life

Music Art

Music in colors

Music

Ofrenda Music

Music Wallpaper

Piano and Flowers

Listen to the Music

WP ART

Music is My Universe

Music is the poetry of the air

Music City

Guitar on Fire

Violin

Floral Guitar

Graphics Musical Notes

Music

Love is in the air

Musical Notes

Vaporware 2.0

Music saves my soul

Fire Music Key

Microphone

Music

MUSIC wallpaper

Swirls of Music

Feel the Music

Trance,Electro,House,Techno.I love them All

Music is life

Headphones Wallpaper

5 Beautiful Free Medical Icon Sets for Your Next Design Project

The Centigrade Medical Series

Medico Icons

Medical Icons

Medical Vista

Medical Icons

23 Stunning and Dreamy Ancient City Landscape Illustrations

Atlantis

The Lost City

Eldt

Secret Valley

Beacon

The Hidden City

Floating Island

Cave SoE

Misty temple

Peak city

The Hidden City

The Nordic Gate

Netherworld Archipelago – the Capital

The Forgotten Atlantis

Village

Medieval City

Soul of the Freedom

Ancient lava city

Shpellë

Tree City

Strong hold Lights

Archisoilus, Master of the Ground

Age of Thrones

31 Creative Examples of Character Illustration in Web Design

Mail Bakery

Playtend LLC

First Annual Interlink Dodgeball Tournament of Chimpions

Imaginamos

Aylis

Pedro Lamin

S.O.S. Mamute

Bear CSS

Cheeky Monkey Media

Silverback

Nybble Tech

GetMeFast

Mochi Media

the Many Faces of the goonies

Veboo Labs

Cute Little Factory