Online Marketing for Local Business
Posts tagged Web Trends
The Last Generation With Backpacks – The End of Print Media?
13 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
I recently read this very interesting article on CNN Money, on the introduction of iPads as well as the “one computer per child” concept into today’s schools.
The article cited research that was quite eye-opening in regards to the digitization of modern schools.
A recent survey of 25 educational technology directors at a conference on integrating technology in the classroom found some interesting results regarding digital computing in the classroom.
The findings included:
- 100% of schools were testing or deploying iPads in their schools. 0% were testing or deploying Android tablets
- Their schools currently have an average of one computer for every 10 students
- Nearly half (12) expect to eventually deploy one computer per child; two of their schools already do
- More than a third (9) expect to deploy one tablet per child; 16% within the next 5 years; one school already does
Given the huge problems facing America’s schools, this is a slender thread on which to base a vision of broad educational reform. But these trends represent a profound shift in how students will be educated in the years and decades ahead. It also highlights the absolute need for the strongest web presence possible for businesses that wish to succeed with these students as they grow into adulthood.
Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster, who conducted the survey, quotes outgoing Apple retail chief Ron Johnson, who has suggested that the current crop of students might be “the last generation with backpacks.”
It’s common wisdom to assume that digital technology and the Web will become ubiquitous sometime in the future, but these latest findings clearly show that the complete replacement of all print copy can already be seen on the horizon.
In addition to the classroom, the plummeting rate of magazine and newsprint subscriptions, and the steady decreases in the purchase of physical books thanks to various e-readers and smart phones, point directly to a time in the near future when print becomes completely obsolete. As these students mature they will have very little exposure to printed materials in general, making this communication and advertising medium a relic of a not-so-distant past.
The takeaway is:
There has never been a more critical time to focus time and resources towards your overall web presence, the SEO rankings of your website, and the creation of social media campaigns for your company.
The very survival of your business may depend on these factors far more quickly than you have recognized, or addressed.
More On The Future Of Web Content
13 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
Building upon our last post, I wanted to further expand the conversation re: the future of web content and the trends that will get us there.
I recently read that there will be 30 Billion smart devices in the year 2030. Yes, Billion with a “B”. This is a staggering number, which equates to an average of 7 devices per person. By then we will be living in what I (and others) have called the Age of Ubiquitous Internet – a time when individuals are constantly “plugged in” to the web via one device or another, no matter the situation, usually via multiple ones.
In fact, this is already becoming a reality for many. With iPads and other tablet computers, smart phones, Internet TV and gaming systems, and of course home computers and laptops, etc. there are lots of individuals who spend the vast majority of their day online. Ubiquitous Internet takes it one step further. Imagine an entire platform devices interconnected, all with access to the same data. At this stage, all data will be available to you in the “cloud”, making for seamless transition between one device and another. The cloud makes this all possible, since you don’t need much (or any) computing power within the device itself, other than some basic processor and memory to keep the device powered and connected, though stand-alone memory will probably still be an option.
The cloud will contain all the computing power that you will ever need, allowing devices to shrink even further in size. Think of having a large monitor on your desktop, with nothing else but the keyboard and mouse. Backup of your data and files will be automatic.
What does web content look like in this world? Probably different than it does now, though exactly how remains to be seen. One thing is sure – your website must be able to connect to all sorts of devices, with different functionality, sizes and operating systems. The content you share will almost exclusively be interactive and multi-media, much more so than now. Static content will be a thing of the past, replaced by personalized content, directed just at you. Updates to devices that relate to your current environment will be instantaneous. Use imagination again, and think of having all your preferences stored within your mobile devices. When walking down an aisle, a small device attached to the shelf automatically prints a coupon based on your previous purchase history, or shares relevant information that might help you make your purchase decision.
The vast majority of content in this world will probably be concise, allowing for the limitations of smaller screens and displays. Long form information or data would probably be available on an on-demand basis only, meaning that many of today’s websites will change, some drastically. This will actually increase the need for content creators as well, since as any professional writer will tell you – the shorter the piece, the better the content must be written, since every single word takes on added significance. And the fact that content will be individual or group specific will only increase the overall volume of content that must be produced, even when taking into account the shorter it will be. Which once again makes me happy in my chosen profession!
All of this means that business owners and marketers must be even more flexible and well versed in current trends and best practices.
What are your thoughts on the future of web content and the Internet itself?
Think Email Marketing is Dead? Think Again.
14 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
From the Yahoo Finance story by Hat Trick Associates today:
With the advent of social media, mobile marketing and a host of other new, “sexier” communication channels, one might assume stodgy email marketing has gone the way of the Dodo bird or horse and buggy. But if anything the reverse is true.
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain
With all the hype surrounding social media and mobile marketing, it would be easy to assume that email is yesterday’s news, with little chance of keeping up with the other marketing methods now available.
But according to the numbers this assumption is incorrect. Email usage has remained remarkably steady, even in the face of new competition. Research shows that email is still the preferred method for receiving commercial messages of 74% of adults. This perhaps surprising statistic can help explain the continued proliferation of e-zines and other email marketing today.
It’s no longer true that the largest firms are the most likely to utilize email. As smaller companies outgrow their sole-proprietor beginnings, they increasing look for new ways to expand their business to support higher headcounts and overhead. Business surveys revealed that almost half of small businesses were using email marketing in 2010; an additional 36% reported plans to begin this year.
The dollars spend annually show this high participation rate. On average email promotion accounts for about 15-22% of total marketing budgets. These billions spent every year has certainly attracted attention, with many new email distribution and copywriting firms found online today.
This gives today’s marketer many options to choose from, ranging from self-serve programs to ones that completely managed by an outside vendor. Choices are often dictated by the level of expertise and resources available internally.
It is projected that the number of worldwide email accounts will grow from over 2.9 billion in 2010 to over 3.8 billion by 2014. And with similar response rates but higher ROI potential than direct print marketing, due to much lower costs, the future looks bright for the continued relevance of email marketing. Coupled with growth expectations, it’s clear that e-marketing is here to stay.