Plonka Interactive

The New Google Analytics

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:56:00 -1100

by Jessica Harry

As promised, Google continues to continuously innovate its products. With the announcement and impending launch of Google Analytics V5, users will notice many upgrades and efficiencies in the service. Although there are quite a few updates, here are the three most notable and useful updates:

Multiple Dashboards
Whether your company is large or small, there’s no doubt that you get frustrated when attempting to find all of the information you need in Google Analytics many tabs, pages, and levels. Now you can have as many customized dashboards as your heart pleases! This new feature will be especially beneficial if your company has multiple departments or web sites that need analytics.

Real-Time Analytics
There is currently a one to two hour time lag on data you get from Google Analytics and full data can even take up to 12 hours. With this new update, you’ll be able to see what your visitors are doing on your site as they’re doing it! This has some serious implications, especially for Google Analytics users who are constantly testing different concepts on the web. Real time data leads to faster results and decisions and thus allows for more time to test other concepts.

New Mobile Reporting
Visitors are becoming more and more likely to visit a web page on their mobile phone or tablet, and there has been a recent push for more detailed data on these visitors and their behavior. Google has answered that call with more detailed Mobile Reporting. With this update, you will be able to see a variety of data from the number of visits to average page views and even the types of phones visitors are using to peruse your site.

We’re excited for the release of the new Google Analytics and can’t wait to see the new data we can pull from it!

Facebook Hacking Schemes Could Move to Fan Pages Next

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:21:00 -1100

by Jessica Harry

Were you involved in the recent Facebook hacking scheme? Don’t worry, you are not alone. From the ‘exclusive celebrity videos’ to porn images to animal cruelty, millions of Facebook’s 800 million users have been overwhelmed recently with graphic links and photos. There has been severe backlash, with many users claiming that they plan to delete their Facebook accounts.

While the most recent attack targeted individuals to help spread and grow the malicious links, Facebook Fan pages could also be a target in the future. Especially since businesses, who almost always have Fan Pages, are where Facebook makes their money, mainly from targeted ads. According to Facebook, there are currently more than 900 million pages, groups, events and community pages, and each user is connected to more than 80 of these.

Facebook is a huge enterprise that prides itself on the safety and security of its users and is committed to keeping its users happy—it is, after all, a business focused on its customers. As such a large, multi-million dollar online entity, Facebook is also a target for hackers. It, for all intensive purposes, has a huge red and white target on its back. Every day, Facebook detects and shuts down thousands of malicious attempts, but every so often, the ever-evolving knowledge of hackers will prevail. At least for a short time.

Considering the outrage sparked among individual users and their blame of Facebook for allowing hackers to infiltrate Facebook, one could only imagine the backlash on businesses if something similar were to happen that infiltrated their Fan Page(s). Fans would almost surely blame the businesses, who, like Facebook, ‘allowed’ this to happen.

Obviously, businesses would not post this content to their Fan Pages, nor would they condone it…IF they even knew it was there. The irony of this past week’s situation is that users who spread the content were not even aware they were spreading it. I, personally, am sitting here attempting to remember all the clicks I made in the past week on Facebook content, links, shares, and apps.

The beauty of this hacking scheme is that users trust their social network—their friends. When friends ‘post’ something—an interesting video or story, a photo, or a contest link—they click on it. If the link doesn’t show what the user was expecting, they assume it’s broken and go back to seeing what other interesting things their friends are up to. Unknowingly, they have just spread the malicious link.

So what should business and individuals do to protect themselves? Be aware of what you click on, which apps you ‘allow’, and change your password often. Also, if you see something suspicious, report it. Facebook takes those alerts seriously!

Apps for the Droid Converted from iPhone Apps

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 05:10:00 -1100

by Susan Plonka

Since Droid or Android and iOS are different platforms, the conversion of iPhone applications http://www.plonka.com/website/contents/iphone.asp basically requires a rewrite of the application for Android devices. Important elements of the user interface can be styled using the same brand guidelines. All other elements should use native Droid application styling.

The application architecture and database structure can largely be reused from the iOS application. The layout of the application should be preserved as much aspossible.

The iOS app is composed of several parts such as:

tab bar
navigation views
calendar
alert boxes
tables etc.

Some of these components are not available in Android, while others appear differently. e.g. Android does not natively support a top navigation bar with the "back" button since the back functionality is implemented by a physical key in all Android devices. Similarly, the tab bar in Android appearsat the top of the page instead of at the bottom like in iOS. In case of such differences, the Android application should be developed to resemble the iOS application as closely as possible, to avoid a redesign of the user interface elements.

Current statistics at http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html show that versions 2.1 and above are the most widely used versions of Android as of 2/2/2011, and account for nearly 90% of Android devices. Applications should target the 2.1 version now, because prior versions lack certain necessary features (such as support for an on-screen back button).

The 2.1 version will be completely forward-compatible with newer versions. Since Android devices are available in a variety of screen sizes, care should be taken to offer a consistent user experience across devices for this application.

Smartphone Apps ideas for Christmas

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:30:00 -1100

By Tatiana Abud
Plonka Interactive

Christmas is around the corner and businesses that profit from mobile apps are already focusing on how they can profit even more. Smartphones are helping tools to every aspect of your lives.
These phones replaced laptops and desktops when they came with a new technology we can’t live without.

This is why right now you should be thinking of ways how you can make your smartphone work for you and your business this holiday season with some great apps.
Think of how well an application that will support shipping would be doing during a time where people will be shipping lots of cards and gifts. You could even start advertising a Santa Claus application that would do all of this for you.

Existing e-commerce apps

If you plan to sit with you smartphone application developer and design a Christmas application, you first need to look at some existing application to get some ideas on which way to go:

1) FedEx Mobile for iPhone – Keep track of all those shipped packages, all you will need to input is the tracking number.
2) Expense Recorder for Blackberry – Great tool to keep track of where you spent your money during the holidays. It generates reports that you can export.
3) iGiftWise for Blackberry – This app keeps track of the gifts you have sent to your friends, so that you don’t repeat the same gift in the future.
4) Amazon for Droid/iPhone –Smartphone version of Amazon.com website. You can search for products, compare prices, read reviews and make from your phone.
5) Slifter Local Shopping for Blackberry – Search for products in your local stores and find the best deals. Save gas and money during holidays!
6) Christmas Cards Tracker for iPhone – This app will help you to keep track of all the cards you receive and send, so that you won’t forget anybody this year.
7) Gifts Ultimate for Droid –Enter your gift list and manage what was already bought and the total spent on gifts.
8) eBay Deals for iPhone –Create customized searches and find the gifts in your list at the best prices.
9) Sccope for Blackberry – Now you can compare prices from hundreds of retailers while you are shopping. This application gives you the prices of products in different stores; you just need to scan the barcode. You can set up prices alerts for lowest prices.
10) Bill Tracker for iPhone – Keep track of the money you have spent during Christmas see details of the bill including due date, amount due, whether the bill has been paid, confirmation numbers for payments and more.

iPhone Apps Development- What are the Advantages For Your Business?

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:25:00 -1100

If you are looking to be right in front of the mind of users, promoting your business iPhone apps is very important. Now that we know the target user the wants everything at their fingertips, we know how to give them a good user experience.
The iPhone device is so popular in all age groups, that you will have to first narrow your target user, then your challenge will be to design an iPhone application that will be adapted to this right audience in the marketplace.

What are the advantages of Business iPhone Apps Development?

If you are still wondering why you should start building an iPhone app for your business, you should consider five elements about your target user behavior:

People like things that are easy to use

Create an app for iPhone that are easy to you. That will make your customer’s experience more enjoyable and make your app more desirable versus more complex applications that are currently out in the market. The better experience the users will have with your app, the better relationship they will have with your company and that will translate into higher sales and revenue.

Immediate satisfaction

Customers don’t like to wait. They want to receive a service in an easy and fast manner. If you get an app developed for your company, you will be right where the user needs you to be at the time they are ready to buy.

Attract new customers

With a well-developed iPhone app, you can start advertising your company more and to a better audience. You can target a tech savvy market that are ready for innovative solutions and that will help you to re-brand your company with a better image in your customers mind, improving brand recognition, which translates into more customers.

Increase Revenue

Needless to say, if a high skilled iPhone app developer will give you and overview about iPhone apps and explains to you what it is they can create for you in alignment with your business goals, your company will take advantage of the technology as a new way to increase profits and sales, in addition to your current products and service offerings.

Good user experience

Visitors can greatly benefit from being able to access your company’s service in an easy manner. They will always remember the good experience they had with your company and they will come back later.
Your iPhone app can have a feature where users can send your company a message at any time, keeping the communication lines open, which is very important in developing new benefit business relationships.

As you can see, there is many ways in which you and you customer can greatly benefit from the advances of mobile technology and that is not too far from your reach.
Start taking advantage of a market that still has a lot to grow and increase profits.

What is the next hot area for mobile applications?

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:21:00 -1100

By Tatiana Abud
Plonka Interactive

As the demand for smartphones continues to grow and consumers are in search of new mobile applications that run on them, mobile-technology experts draw conclusion on consumer’s behavior.

According to a report released Tuesday by Pew Research Center and Nielsen, iPhone, BlackBerry and Android users have preference for mobile applications that extend well-known Web properties, rather than mobile apps that are for mobile devices only.

The report shows that the most popular apps are made by Facebook, the Weather Channel, Google Maps and Pandora, which confirms consumers, will stick to known web based applications.

The Pew study also found there is a lot of room for growth in the mobile usage market. This market entails only 24% of the U.S. adult population and it’s not in its full grown phase yet, despite of the popularity of the smartphones.

Though studies show that mobile users are just sticking to what they are familiar and feel comfortable with, some will guess consumer behavior will change in its maturity phase of mobile usage, and will be more open to mobile based only promotions and offerings.

The next great opportunity lies in “yield management,” or pushing discounts, deals or other information to users based on their location and their intent, said Raj Kapoor, managing director of the Mayfield Fund, at the AppNation conference in San Francisco.

Raj Kappor also believe that the successful way to improve demand indicators is to cross discounts with customers in a local area, transforming digital information into a real world action. Others will argue apps that will be built to connect to a certain location will be substituted for those that will be built around discounts.

“Women buy by price, not location,” says a woman in the conference. “Women will walk 100 miles on fire to get the handbag at a discount. Location-based [for] women will not work.”
Some will even discuss the next trend for mobile apps is focused around those that offer buying and selling in a simple manner, a more fun and interactive type of venue.

Consumers are not only driven by discounts and promotions but also by novelty, surprises, anything they have never seen before, or some type of a different game, something entertaining.

Let your customers benefit from new iPhone applications

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:55:00 -1100

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 was a revolution in mobile industry. The large number of individuals and businesses using the iPhone has multiplied over time, making room for new business opportunities.

Have you taken advantage of these opportunities yet?

Maybe you haven’t because you don’t think you have a great idea for a new application but if you talk to a specialist, together you will be able to identify niches to fulfill your customer needs and solve a problem by providing a new service.

An iphone app development agency will have the expertise to provide you with a new application idea that will promote your business and make operations easier to use your customers. You can put your operations on the tip of your customers’ hands and create brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. You could start by getting your idea on paper. Write some text. Draw a button. Get as much as you can ready for the programmer to help you.

How to create a new application?

Well, before you start thinking of getting a new application developed to need to make sure to research your audience and even look at some existing applications they are currently being used. After you have created the right application for the right target market, it’s time to give it to your iPhone programmer to help you bring your app to life. Your programmer will submit your new app to the App review team for approval and then it will be released on the iPhone.

How do I get my new app into my customers’ iPhones?

Now your application is created, you will need to promote it and market it to your customers. You can send your iPhone app to the Apple Store, make it available for download in your own website or use social media marketing to promote it.

Once your new business app is in use you can benefit from making more money by selling your app, creating viral promotions to your business with the app, create customer loyalty by allowing your customers to contact you easily, and access your products or services, allow customers to make instant orders of your products and remotely access your business.

You gain business every day while your customer satisfaction and loyalty will improve as the use your new app. This is the right time to take advantage of this market while it is in the infant stage. By creating iPhone apps for your business you and your customers will greatly benefit form it, especially with the announcement of the iPad, which will have more apps uses as it gains popularity.

Freshen Up and Generate Internet Marketing Buzz

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:02:00 -1100

Ideas for Your Website Development

By Susan Plonka

If your website and design was built a couple years ago, chances are its looking a little long in the tooth and missing out on the advantages of the latest technology.

Video – Internet Video - A Q&A interview format with the expert, similar to a talk show. We can sit down with you, a simple flip phone with some good lighting and produce a couple short 3 minute pieces that can be posted on your website. These are also great to post to youtube.com and generate some web visitors for your site.

SEM - Search Engine Marketing – There are many new methods since your website was created. We could send you a keyword list showing the amount of traffic for each keyword phrase. You can review the list crossing out ones that don’t fit your business. Then we would update your site to reflect these words generating more traffic for you. The next month, inbound links could be the focus. Each month adding another SEM activity, constantly building traffic – more business for you!

CMS - Content Management System – would allow you and your staff to easily make changes to the website. The style and the structure of the website remain constant allowing you to add and edit content using a tool bar similar to Word. A customizable CMS such as LaunchPad is easy for you to use or Joomla is very popular and has many customizable templates.

Design Refresh – Tired of looking at the same design for years? Freshen up the design with new colors and animations or video while maintaining the content. LROResidential.com looks great in its fresh colors.

Blog – Added to your website allows you to add content on a regular basis. Did you just have an interesting question from a patient? You can share the Q&A on your blog. Blogs give website visitors the opportunity to engage your business with thoughtful comments, while allowing you to not approve inappropriate spam. Search engines love the fresh content in blogs, helping you get higher results for your target keywords. Need a writer, we can help!

Please call to discuss the best fit for your website and budget.

Video Marketing

user.nospam@nospam.example.com (Admin) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:30:00 -1100