MJS Web Solutions Blog

Store Locator Design Showcase

Michael Swartz — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:47:26 +0000

We are redesigning a new client’s website which includes a Store Locator option. The client has asked us for some examples and I’d like to share what we thought were some of the better store locators.

To make the cut, the locator had to at least:

Provide a map
Be useful
Look pleasing to the eye

List includes search results pages, not store locator entry pages, though the best locators were those that provide the search function on the results page.

Apple

Victoria Secret's

Sports Authority

Michael's

Home Depot

Radio Shack

Ace Hardware

No Two Searches Are Created Equal

Michael Swartz — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:04:11 +0000

The reason why some search engine ranking positions fall or increase has everything to do with how Google interprets a search. Google is always evaluating and testing to make sure the searcher is provided with the most relevant search result.

All Searches Are Not Created Equal.

All searches are not created equal. Search results are only accurate at the time of search. My search result will look different from your search and will fluctuate because of Google’s continuing algorithm modifications, differences in our physical locations and personalization settings.

Real Time Data

Fluctuations in rankings may also occur due to real time data. Facebook, Blogs, Twitter and other real time content providers have motivated Google to index the internet in real time. Thus, Google may determine that a blog post, for instance, has significant value over a static web page and rank it higher.

Your State of Mind

Since Google is trying to provide the most relevant search result, they’ll try to provide search results based on what state of mind the search is in. For example, weather the searcher is in a ‘browsing’ or ‘buying’ mode at the time of search. Search results will determine this answer. When you see Google ranking Yelp and other directory websites within the search results, Google has determined, based on in-depth research, that the searcher may be browsing for goods and services rather than an immediate need to purchase, which would be indicated by a more specific product search or problem the searcher is having. For example: ‘washing machine repair companies’ (browsing) or ‘help with flooded basement’ (immediate need).

Browsing Search Engine Ranking Results

Immediate Need Search Engine Ranking Results

Other factors, with regards to fluctuating rankings, could be competitors using SEO techniques and new websites being indexed by Google.

Our job, as SEO specialists, is to monitor this activity, determine how Google is interpreting that search and modify our position accordingly by providing quality targeted keyword phrases and unique website content for Google to index.

Shopping Cart Checkout Login Example – Smart Design

Michael Swartz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:06:26 +0000

While purchasing Christmas gifts online, I recognized an excellent shopping cart checkout login interface – See’s Candies.

Excellent Checkout Interface

Support Phone number is here in case you need it. And I did.
Your website visitors, especially purchasers, want to know where they’ve been, where they are and where they’re going. See’s Candies doesn’t surprise you. They tell you up front what’s coming up next.
My favorite feature: Checkout as a Guest. Many times, I just want to order and go, without spending time creating an account. Give me the option and See’s Candies does.

When designing a shopping cart login interface, learn by example.