5 More Reasons Why IE6 Must Die

It’s no secret that we don’t like Internet Explorer 6 (IE6), the outdated 10+ year old browser still used by 15-25% of people on the web. Last year, we called for IE6 to die so that the web could move on with new innovations such as HTML 5.

Now Internet Explorer, specifically IE6, is under fire again after a critical IE vulnerability was implicated for the attack on Google’s infrastructure by Chinese hackers. While IE6 criticism is not a new phenomenon, last week’s events give those of us who advocate for the abolition of IE6 (myself included) new ammunition.

Whether you work for a company that won’t get rid of IE6 or have parents that just don’t see the need to ugprade, here are five new reasons to upgrade or switch browsers:

1. Your security and your company’s security are at risk: There’s no other way to lay it out: if the security of Google, Yahoo, and around 20 other companies were compromised due to people still running IE6, then your security is at risk too. Upgrading after a hacker uses this exploit to steal your information is simply too late, especially if you hold sensitive customer data.

2. World governments are suggesting you switch browsers: Both Germany and France have issued warnings about Internet Explorer, asking citizens to switch to prevent the same type of breach that affected Google.

[ Read Entire Article ]

Success for 2010!

We've made our resolutions... what do yours look like? It is the year for integrating media across platforms and bringing it all together on your website. Integrate your blog with your site, as well as your tweets and other social media.

Keeping your website fresh and up to date has become as easy as thumb typing a few sentences on a smart phone before boarding a plane. May we suggest a few items for your 2010 list?

• Update the footer of your website to 2010 (one of the small things that is so easily overlooked)
• Refresh at least your front page content with a new message
• Add your latest photos and testimonials
• Make sure your business is added to Google Maps
• Update your online marketing plan
• Write a guest contribution to a high profile blog
• Google, Yahoo and Bing yourself and check what search engines reveal about you.

Season's Greetings

Applecore Interactive wishes all its clients, suppliers and supporters a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Successful 2010.

Our offices will be closed from 25 December to reopen on Monday January 4, 2010.

We look forward to achieving great things together in the New Year!

Applecore Joins WEConnect

Applecore Interactive has become certified by WEConnect Canada as a Women Business Enterprise. This process lists Applecore Interactive as a certified supplier of web and interactive marketing services with multinational organizations and government in Canada and the US who seek to purchase services from women-owned businesses. Says Deborah Bourden, Applecore CEO: “These large organizations have a mandate to diversify their supply chains. As a certified supplier Applecore Interactive is excited about these new partnership opportunities.”

Learn more about WEConnect Canada.

Health Care Foundation Virtual Tree of Memories launch with NTV

Sharon Snow interviews Catherine Barrett and Lisa Gushue from the Health Care Foundation during the launch of the Virtual Tree of Memories on the Foundation's new website. Watch for Applecore's Trent Skanes giving a demonstration on how to donate to the fundraiser online.

We were thrilled to be included! Our offices were in full holiday regalia for the event--and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Thanks to NTV and the Health Care Foundation for the opportunity.

Amazing Resources for the Curious Designer

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

Any Creative will tell you-- sometimes the only thing that will get your juices flowing is to take a break and dig for inspiration in other places. And what better place to do that than online, where the only limit is your imagination? There are tons of resources out there for even the most discriminating designer.

We asked our art department for a few of their favorites.

Smashing Magazine
If you haven't heard of this website, that won't be for long. One of the staples of the online design community, Smashing Magazine produces unbeatable and comprehensive posts on all things design, from web design to blog trends to Photoshop tips. Bookmark this and you'll find yourself constantly revisiting.

Veer Ideas: The Skinny and The Fat

From type-seller and merch giant Veer comes two blogs: The Skinny and the Fat. The Skinny displays inspirations and updates from the company at large, while the Fat is an online community made up of Veer members. Both blogs are amazing resources to inspire and keep you in the know with offbeat, unconventional design around the globe.

Information is Beautiful

Maybe not strictly a design resource, but a great way to refresh your mind. Creator David McCandless wanted to create a site that conveyed a wealth of stats, ideas and issues in a beautifully designed package; thus, InformationIsBeautiful.net was born. If you need to see design in a fresh light, click over to this site to get a new perspective.

Fuel Your Creativity

Part of the Fuel network, this site is dedicated to focusing your creative mind into productivity and discipline. With simple solutions to common problems that plague creatives, Fuel Your Creativity is a handy resource indeed.

The Die Line

On the surface, a simple collection of beautiful product design from around the world--most of which, chances are, you've never heard of. But look closer, and observe the use of color, the streamlined finished product, the clean, minimalist web design...what's that? It may be inspiration calling.

Logo Design Love

Innovative, way outside the box logo design and branding. Covers not only actual examples of logos, but interviews with important names and branders the world over.

Other Great Resources:

One Xtra Pixel

My Ink Blog

Vanderlay Design Blog

Creative Nerds

Just for Fun:

Arial or Helvetica?
Think you know Arial from Helvetica? Test your typography know-how with this quick and simple quiz.

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Now get out there and get inspired!

Fixes to Common Internet Explorer Bugs

by Gregory Pike, Web Developer

I cannot imagine there is a web developer out there who has not experienced their share of CSS headaches with Internet Explorer browsers. Rendering issues in Internet Explorer are rampant.

Developer Siddharth has compiled a list of the most common IE Bugs as well as multiple options for fixing them. His examples are concise and easy to follow using css and imagery to guide the reader.

Some of the topics he touches on include:

• Centering a layout
• Staircase effect
• Double margin on floated elements
• Inability to have elements with small heights
• Auto overflow and relatively positioned items
• Fixing the broken box model
• Setting a minimum width and height
• Floated layout misbehaving
• Space between list items

The article is 9 Most Common IE Bugs and How to Fix Them.

Twitter's Newest Feature!

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

Logging into the Applecore Twitter account this morning, I noticed a new addition that had popped up unexpectedly: the Lists feature.

Lists simply let you group the people you follow on Twitter into shorter, easier to follow lists. Like "Sports" "News" and "Entertainment," maybe. Or "England" "Canada" and "St. John's." Perhaps "Friends" "Family" or "Co-workers." What's more, any lists that you make or are featured on are also viewable via your profile...there's a new link next to your followers that tells you exactly how many lists you're on.

However you use it, it's sure to make the wide world of Twitter more personal and useful across the board.

CWT Harvey's Travel Refreshes Website

CWT Harvey's Travel is a travel booking agency that offers many unique and valuable services to its travelers to ease the stress of trip planning. The company operates from 22 offices throughout Atlantic Canada, with their headquarters in St. John’s.

As leaders in corporate, leisure and group travel, their website needed to be streamlined to better suit that identity. And now, the refreshed online face of Harvey's Travel is complete! Clean, bright and a dream to navigate, the site now reflects the fast-paced, fun world of travel. Refitted with a newly designed Content Management System, updating the freshest vacation offers in a timely fashion has never been easier.

With bright colors working alongside the streamlined interface, the website now better reflects the personality of Harvey's Travel: on the one side, an exciting, helpful place to plan a memorable vacation, and on the other, a professional, accommodating resource for the seasoned business traveler.

Check out the finished product here.

Harvard Explores the Future of Social Media

by Jill Butler, Content Development Specialist

A remarkable social media experiment is happening on the campus of one of America’s most prestigious universities.

Harvard University has made Justice, one of the school's most popular courses, available online. Professor Michael Sandel is an internationally renowned mind, and explores political philosophy through thought-provoking topics such as same-sex marriage, civil rights and whether lying can ever be good. It’s a great way to educate Harvard students, but then, distance courses are nothing new on any university campus, even before the internet.

If the story stopped there, Applecore wouldn’t be writing a blog post about it.

Because this course isn’t only a course for Harvard students. This is available to anyone with the inclination and an Internet connection.

Each lesson—which run about 55 minutes each—has been loaded onto YouTube and posted to its website, which also features reading lists, pop quizzes and a discussion circle.

So really, it’s like you’re attending Harvard, but without paying the sizable tuition or stirring from the comfort of your own home.

What’s the Why?

My first thought when I heard about this was trying to figure out why Harvard would do this. And after much reflection, I think it can be explained in a word: exposure.

After all, the press coverage of this virtually unprecedented move by an Ivy League college has been extensive, and very positive.

But isn’t Harvard essentially trading their intellectual advantage for a couple of press releases? After all, prestige and exclusivity is what makes Harvard an impressive note on your resume, not that just anyone who’s willing to listen can benefit.

This is where the extraordinary part comes in.

Harvard Leads the Future

The Ivy League hasn’t exactly built a reputation for going with the flow. Introducing this high-production, universal course offering demonstrates that Harvard is not just some stuffy out of touch institution unable to keep up with new media and the latest technologies.

But what’s more, this website could go a long way for improving public opinion of the school, which goes a long way in a recession when many people question spending thousands more on an education which no longer guarantees success. Now, everyone can have a taste to see what all the fuss is about.

And let me tell you—this online course is not filler. It’s thought-provoking and intellectually vigorous, demanding you pay attention from the word go. It’s a great chance to see why a Harvard education is so valuable.

Where’s the Real Lesson?

But most of all, this legitimizes social media in a way that is unprecedented. YouTube isn’t just clips of animals doing funny things; Harvard University, the creme de la creme, uses it to teach its students! Comment boards aren't just a haven for slang; it can be the birthplace of carefully considered philosophical discussion!

This goes a long way in demonstrating the real future of social media. When YouTube was first introduced, did anyone really imagine that it would be adopted by a prestigious college to explore complex ideas of human development? To reach and educate a global audience?

Beyond instant messaging, Facebook pokes, or retweets, this makes it clear that the future of social media is as limitless as our imagination. Or perhaps, more accurately, our ambition.

Why Your Company Needs a Website

Applecore Interactive CEO Deborah Bourden was a guest on Roaring Women Radio this weekend, discussing the importance of company websites and figuring out why your company needs one.

Find the interview here.

9 for '09: Current Web Trends

by Jill Butler, Content Development Specialist

Our art and tech department banded together for this blog entry-- a survey of the top web design trends for 2009. Read on to find out all about how Technology, Creativity and Strategy are changing online.

TECHNOLOGY

1. Mobile Compatibility

Site: Pizza Hut

With more and more users getting their daily web surfing done on their iPhones or Blackberrys, smart websites have made the leap to offering content that either works well with or is specifically designed for these devices. Check out Pizza Hut's innovative iPhone app, that allows the user to order their pizza from the palm of their hand.

2. Online video/ Internet TV

Site: NBC.com

Regular TV-watching has become a thing of the past. After all, with the busy schedules and tightening household budgets of many tech-savvy TV lovers, cable just isn't convenient. So they turn to the Internet, which offers full episodes, either for download or streaming, whenever and however you want them. The smart networks, like NBC or the CW, have turned what might look like a cash-drain into an opportunity, offering exclusive content online and becoming the best source for reliable, quality online programming. As the old saying goes: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

3. Personalization

Site: iGoogle

The web can only be what you make it--and the trend towards making it your own has been growing steadily. With leaders like Google, even the browser you use to surf the web can be completely customized to suit your taste and needs. That's more or less the entire purpose of iGoogle--one stop for local weather, custom features, and news feeds that cater you YOUR every demand.

CREATIVITY

4. The Big Picture (layouts)

Site: The White House

This is a hot one: designers have been going for the high impact statement more and more, with bold, eye-catching banners and header that incorporate content and are more than a pretty face. The White's homepage is a great example of that--using their carousel-style banner to display important links and information.

5. Minimal: White Space and Then Some

Site: Concentric Studio

Clean, straightforward and useful--the trend to have more of nothing has been catching on for a while now, as more designers opt to de-clutter their web spaces and put focus on only the most important elements of the website. The upside? The user doesn't get overwhelmed by too much information only choice -- there is only where you want to guide them.

6. Big and Bold: HUGE typography, illustrations and vibrant graphics

Site: National Television

If you want big, eye-catching communication, there's nothing like a sure bet. Placing emphasis on words and putting illustration front and center has a fresh, almost European feel, giving the website an equal focus on design and communication.

STRATEGY

7. Keeping up with social media

Site: Fuel Your Creativity

More website are realizing the power of putting social media front and center--like Fuel Your Creativity has done here. It's wise to put these hotlinks in a very visible place, making it as easy as possible for any interested users to click on your blog, visit your Facebook page, or subscribe to your Twitter. There's no point in hiding these links-- you want people to use them, so gathering them into a one-stop corner of your website is a smart move.

8. Closing the Back Door

Site: Web Design Ledger

The "back door," in this case, refers to ways that stop your readers from clicking away from your blog or website--namely, by getting them interested in something else they'll find useful. There are many ways to do this, but one that is gaining speed is the "Related Links" widget. By using this feature, placed at the bottom of a blog post or page, you can catch your user's attention while you've still got it, and point them in other directions they may find helpful. It's good for them--they find out more about a topic they're interested in--but it's great for you--you get to keep your reader for a longer visit.

9. “Speaking” navigation

Site: Intereactive

Looking for clarity? You can't go wrong by adding this feature. "Speaking" navigation is more or less what it sounds like--instead of having simple, one or two word navigation (such as "Home" or "About Us") you use the coveted space to expand just a little on your company. This is especially helpful if the navigation your company has chosen is unconventional. It also gives you another chance to be personable and really connect with the people using your website--which is never a bad thing.

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That's our top nine web design trends for '09. Got anything to add? Leave it in the comments; we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Interactions Issue 4 is Out!

We just launched our fourth issue of the Applecore newsletter, Interactions. It's filled with lots of tips and tricks for navigating the tricky terrain of businesses online and off, including learning opportunities and workshops. The central theme of this issue is passion and energy, and how the two work together to guarantee the output of your very best self. The topics this month:

Creating a Community: profile of local businesses doing it right online

Complimentary Workshop: Expanding Your Digital Footprint

St. John's Events (October)

This is your chance: why not sign up now and get in before the next issue? Make sure you're in for the latest in interactive tips, brand secrets and design innovation!

Watch this space for the announcement of our Interactions archives.

Microsoft Gaining Momentum in the Search Engine Ring

by Greg Pike, Web Developer

Typically when people think about search engines, they think of Google. In the past few months Microsoft has been working hard to reset that mentality, but even the successful launch of Bing left critics forecasting the search engine was nothing more than fresh hype.

They were wrong.

Microsoft’s Bing continues to collect more and more market share. So much in fact that the search engine giant Yahoo joined forces to take a stab at Google’s incredible market share.

Note: Microsoft attempted to purchase Yahoo! last year for $44.6 billion. At the time Microsoft was running two ailing search engines, MSN and Live. Yahoo! turned down the offer.

Bing’s beautiful new brand, successful hype, and innovative new search technology are not the only reasons they are closing the gap on Google’s market share.

Recently I received a phone call from Microsoft welcoming me and our company to Microsoft AdCenter, Microsoft’s version of AdWords. We signed up to start using AdCenter as soon as Bing started making an impression in the search engine world.

The phone call I received was not just any generic call. I was asked for by name and the lady on the line complimented the website we were advertising, which happened to be a tourism website, and said that she and her family had already made plans to visit that destination for next year.

She also told me about the different free services available to us.

When I got off the phone I came to the realization that not only would Google never make that call, but they make it impossible to obtain personable support...no matter that their online support documents are still second to none.

Suddenly, Microsoft’s continuing momentum in the search engine ring is no longer a puzzle to me.

Want to Get Caught Up?

New to the Applecore blog? Catch up up with our must read posts:

Technology
Which Mayoral Candidate Get Top Marks for Social Media?

Google Does It Again

What is gooleads.g.doubleclick.net?



Creativity

See What's Fresh in Logo and Branding 2009

Our Favourite Type


Strategy

That's It: The Twitter Conversation

Turn the Bad into Good: Using Online Feedback to Help Your Business

10 Harsh Truths About Corporate Websites


How To's and Tutorials
Understanding Bounce Rates

Using Gmail for Internal Email

Tourism: A Social Media Butterfly



Happy reading!

The Top 25 Global Brands

Interbrand has released its annual top Global Brands for 2009. We've listed the top 25, as well as what Interbrand had to say about the five leaders.

1. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is 123 years old and shows no sign of relenting. It is the

number one producer of sparkling beverages by volume and dollars.

It has launched more than 700 products in 2008 around the world,

and its edgy campaigns continue to push boundaries, showing the

rest of the marketing community what it really means to manage a

brand.

2. IBM

In this tough market, Big Blue’s revenue is at an all-time high. IBM

received the most U.S. patents (more than 4,000) for the 16th year

in a row, investing heavily in innovation as it continues its progression

from a hardware provider to a software and services solutions

brand.

3. Microsoft

2009 marks the first year-on-year decline in Microsoft’s public history,

despite a game console division that continues to be profitable. As

the market matures, the giant faces stiff competition from faster,

quicker rivals.

4. GE

Despite GE slipping in its position of technology leadership, it is still

better equipped to support future innovations and brand evolution

than other traditional competitors, due to its ability to touch

consumers on an emotional level.

5. Nokia

Nokia seems to be trailing behind more dynamic smartphone

innovations like Apple’s iPhone and RIM’s BlackBerry. The N97, a

flagship Nseries mobile computer that was first unveiled in December

2008, is designed to address competitive technologies but debuted in

2009 at a much higher price point than Apple’s or RIM’s new offerings.

And the rest...
6. McDonald's
7. Google
8. Toyota
9. Intel
10. Disney
11. HP
12. Mercedes-Benz
13. Gillette
14. Cisco
15. BMW
16. Louis Vuitton
17. Marlboro
18. Honda
19. Samsung
20. Apple
21. H&M
22. American Express
23. Pepsi
24. Oracle
25. Nescafe

This just goes to show how crucial a strong brand can be in times of crisis, with nearly every one of the top 25 reporting growth in the midst of a worldwide recession. Read the full report.

Which Mayoral Candidate Gets Top Marks for Social Media?

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

Election fever has taken over St. John's, Newfoundland. With the St. John's mayoral election in less than two weeks' time, it seems like a great time to take a step back and assess how our local candidates are using social media to their advantage.

Let's see how the candidates for the St. John's Mayoral race shape up:

Dennis O'Keefe

Claim to Fame: As the incumbent, O'Keefe already has a significant head start over his opponents with the voters of St. John's. In addition, O'Keefe has a long record of service to the city, including a stint as a consumer advocate and tourism supporter.

On Facebook: No.

On Twitter? No.

Blog Status: None.

Personal Website: http://www.dennisokeefe.ca/

Google Results for "dennis o'keefe mayor": 70,000

Overall Social Media Grade: D+
While he does have a website, it seems mostly static and full of basic campaign rhetoric. With no Facebook, Twitter, or blog, there's no real online way to support him--voters will have to rely on the ol' standby: those annoying lawn signs.

Ron Ellsworth

Claim to Fame: City Council member since 2005 and an active member of the community.

On Facebook: Yes. His Group page, "Team Ellsworth," has 719 members and is active updated.

On Twitter: Yes.

Blog Status: No blog, but his website does feature a downloadable booklet called "The Ellsworth Essentials."

Personal Website: http://www.ronellsworth.com/

Google Results for "ron ellsworth mayor": 922,000

Overall Social Media Grade: B+

Making his campaign booklet "The Ellsworth Essentials" available for download was a great use of the wide reach of the web. His website also features a place online where interested parties can sign up for the campaign. Ellsworth is clearly making an effort, something that will surely mean come Election Day.

Mark Wilson

Claim to Fame: The lead singer for local band The Idlers, Wilson is currently trying to tap into a demographic that is often ignored in municipal elections, the young and tech-savvy.

On Facebook? Yes. His Fan Page is active and well-populated, with nearly 250 supporters. Plus, there are two unofficial groups for his campaign with 40 members between them.

On Twitter? Yes.

Blog Status: 5 posts. He's also been a popular topic on St. John's-focused SignalBlog.

Personal Website: http://www.mayormarkwilson.com/

Google Results for "mark wilson mayor": 843,000

Overall Social Media Grade: A-

His website is more or less an example in how to do social media right. From the forum to the Media sections filled with YouTube campaign clips, everything about Wilson's website is interactive and informative. He even walks voters through the steps to signing up to vote--very important when your vote may rely on young, not yet registered voters. But these social media ventures were somewhat underpopulated, with only 35 tweets and a handful of blog posts. Still, all these social media efforts are reaching out to young voters in the city--whether or not they'll show up to support him on election day is yet to be decided.

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When you think about it, it makes sense to see more and more social media creep up into our elections: it worked beautifully in the recent American Presidential race, helping Barack Obama spread his message of change to a wide, receptive audience. Social media, after all, is about participation, and one of the chief problems plaguing voter turnouts in recent is lack of involvement. Hence, involve people online and watch them tune in to the issues and ultimately, Election Day.

Any verdict on whether or not social media will have a huge impact on the St. John's voters will have to wait until September 29th--the day of the elections. For the full, official list of candidates, visit the City of St. John's website.

Agree or disagree with the grades? Speak up in the comments!

New Look for Vulcan Minerals

Vulcan Minerals is an up and coming junior exploration company based in Newfoundland and Labrador, exploring locally to discover major petroleum and mineral deposits in Western Newfoundland and Northern Labrador.

Recently, the company decided to streamline their website to make it more accessible and intuitive. Important pages were moved to a central location on the homepage, accompanying the added dimension of multimedia and an updated and efficient news section. The result is a balanced, project-driven website that reflects their place as a promising name in the industry.

Take a look at the new face of Vulcan Minerals.

See What’s Fresh in Logo and Branding for 2009

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

Branding has always been one of our passions, so we keep on top of industry-wide trends. Our art department gives us the scoop on what they’ve noticed has become the new hot trends for logo and branding in 2009.

The Circle of Life

Circular patterns have become the new staple in logo design. There’s a reason why these are so popular: they’re simple, effective, and transfer well to other mediums, like business cards, billboards or even television.

Don't Delay the Overlay

Mixing 60s flair with modern technology, these logos pop in a sea of minimalist monochrome.

A One Line Drawing

Intricate and bold, these logos create a dynamic image for a brand that implies constant motion and never-ending connection.

The Linking Letters

Modern and sleek, interlocking the letters create a bold pattern from a key part of a company: the name.

Fun With Shapes and Space

These logos use negative space as part of the letter, forming a deeper meaning with the imagery. These are clever in execution, but also offer a multi-layered brand experience.

Off-Set Color

Retro and chic, these logos hint at a sophisticated, intentional sloppiness that can add charm and urban style.

Illustrate Your Point

Traditional and fun, using an illustration places your brand as part of an established, timeless aesthetic.

All logos courtesy the artists at Logo Pond.

Turning the Bad into Good: Using Online Feedback to Help Your Business

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

It’s a fear that keeps a lot of businesses, big or small, offline: what happens when you bring your company on to the World Wide Web? Whether it’s through social media or a website, the reality is that going online can feel like losing control over how your business is seen or heard.

This can be especially true when it comes to feedback. Hopefully, most feedback would be positive, chances are sooner or later your business would see the unthinkable: negative feedback online, in a very public forum.

Your kneejerk reaction may to ignore it or delete it, but you’d be missing out on a great chance to connect one on one with a customer. So why not turn a bad thing (negative feedback) into a good thing: showing your customers how much you care.

Responding head-on to negative feedback gives you a chance to not only redeem your company but also fix whatever went wrong. Offering a solution tells your customer that you are accountable for your product or service and also shows you really believe in what your business is trying to do. Ignoring or downplaying any problems that emerge could suggest something to your customers you don’t want to suggest: namely, that you stopped caring about them the minute they gave you their business.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you own a paper business, Sterling Paper Co.—it could be a small 10 person operation or a large, multi-level corporation. A customer (Mr. Smith) leaves a negative but fair comment on your company blog, explaining that not only did their order arrive a week late, but the boxes had been badly damaged in transit!

From here, you can really only do one of three things:

1. Ignore it, delete it or block the sender.

2. Respond, but defensively (that is, blame the problem on the post office or a heavy backorder)

3. Address the problem, find a solution and satisfy your customer:

Dear Mr. Jones,

I was sorry to hear of the damage that occurred to your order while in transit. We always try to package our goods carefully so they arrive in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed. Thank you for notifying us of this problem, as I will be looking into the packing or your order to ensure it does not happen again.

Sterling Paper Co. prides itself on ensuring the satisfaction of each customer. If you will agree to send the damaged goods back, I will arrange for a new delivery to be shipped to you free of charge, as well as a 15% discount for any future purchases.

Sincerely,

John Johnson

Sterling Paper Co.

This response accomplishes the following:

• It will help the customer feel that his or her problem has been heard and acknowledged.

• It shows you are accountable and eager to fix problems to guarantee great service.

• It shows you believe in your product or service, enough to offer not only a replacement but also a discount.

• It maintains a professional, courteous demeanor that will reassure your customer

• It builds your reputation as a company that cares about what people are saying about them, and is willing to help their customers.

Obviously, it’s up to your business to determine what kind of compensation (if any) you will offer your unsatisfied customers. This example is meant only to illustrate the great gains your business can make online if you choose to listen to the feedback your customers are giving you.

Remember the old adage: a happy customer may tell two people. An unhappy customer will tell twelve. Which would you rather have talking about you?

Microsoft and Yahoo! Join Forces: So What's Next?

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

The big news in the air this week is the announcement of the 10-year merger of Microsoft's Bing search engine and Yahoo's premium search advertising tools. While rumors of this deal have been floating a long time, the official announcement unleashed a storm of web articles, blog entries and news stories.

Obviously, the people this affects most directly is the minority of users that still prefer Yahoo—roughly about 20% of the Internet community. And, it’s worth noting that in the span of time since the announcement was made, Yahoo’s stock plummeted—while Microsoft’s has stayed relatively untouched.

But the real question is-- how does this affect Search Engine Optimization campaigns currently underway? Here at Applecore, we’ve done our research and reached our own conclusions…

Is Google in Trouble?

Hardly. Google has been turned into its own verb, turning the search engine into a synonym for 'searching on the Internet.’ That kind of ingrained loyalty doesn't erode overnight. What early speculations suggest is that this could spark a competitive era the likes of which Google hasn’t yet seen: since it garners most of its revenue (up to 90%) from their search ads, any dent in their top dog market position could prove more harmful than it would have been a year ago. But a dent--rather than a wide-gaping hole--is all it would be.

Where’s My Data?

Does this merger affect the way the search data of users is used? Well, in a nutshell, not really. Smart consumers already know that “free” services—Facebook, Google or even social sharing sites—are never really “free.” Calling them low to no cost would be more accurate. Any search engine we use on the Internet is still, at the end of the day, a profitable enterprise. Whenever you use a search engine, assume that somehow, somewhere, it’s being looked at for potential revenue. But rather than be terrified of the implications of that statement, try seeing it as a great tool for your business.

Does This Affect My SEO Campaign?

The one thing this merger will definitely change will be all current Yahoo ranks and costs. Some speculate that since the cost of Google keywords can average 25% more than either Yahoo or Microsoft, the deal could create a tempting alternative for marketers hoping to lower their costs.

But at the end of the day, it's not because Google owns the greater market share that you pay for each click. Whether your budget is $5/day or $500/day, you won't get more than $5/day or $500/day worth of clicks regardless of market share. It's all relative, and still mostly unknown whether the deal will have any effect on PPC.

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It seems unlikely that Google could be usurped anytime soon, but for the first time in a long time, it may not be for lack of trying.

In the News

Bing! Yahoo, Microsoft exchange vows for search and ads (Ars Technica)

Microsoft and Yahoo: Search partners (CNN)

Microsoft-Yahoo Search Deal: The Official Press Release (TechCrunch)

Using Flickr to Promote Your Small Business

by J. Butler, Content Development Specialist

Here's a great idea for local businesses around Newfoundland and Labrador--and even beyond: get yourself a Flickr account. Flickr is a popular website for users to pool photographs in one convenient online space. Long used by bloggers as a photo repository, now you can learn to use it as a low-cost, simple way to build on the web presence your company already has.

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!

1. Open a Flickr account.

It’s quick and easy. Each photo in your Flickr pool will have its own web page; it will be up to you to provide clear titles, descriptions and tags. The trick is to fill your Flickr space with photos that really capture the heart of your business.

2. Figure out why your business needs Flickr.

Are you a tourism operator with lots of beautiful pictures of your destination but nowhere to put them? Are you a small crafts store with lots of product images? Or maybe your business is known for being a fun, social place to work and you want to show it off! Whatever your reason, figuring it out will save you a lot of confusion and second-guessing in the long run.

3. Tag everything properly.

Organize everything very clearly—don’t assume that your customers will have the patience to sort through 200 pictures before getting what they want. If you’re sharing this on social media, keep all your links and redirects straight. Giving your photos plenty of relevant keywords will also make it easier for search engines to find, improving your ranking on search engines like Google and Yahoo!.

4. Just jump in and get started!

Find out if any of your customers or fellow businesspeople are on Flickr and link to them. It’s a great opportunity for networking and spreading the word about your business. Provide plenty of ways for your customer to get back to your website. And most of all—be creative and have fun.

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, get ready for your business to write a whole novel!

Wanted: A Brilliant Technical Mind

Applecore is currently accepting resumes for a Senior Web Developer position in its Technical Department. We are always interested in connecting with creative, technical and strategic minds. Forward your résumé and portfolio to careers@applecore.ca.

Applecore's vision has always been to be a great place to work and a great place to do business. Want to be a part of it? Click here for the Senior Web Developer job description.

TA Climbs Mount Elbrus!

On July 12^th, 2009, Memorial University professor, adventurer at large and dear Applecore friend Dr. TA Loeffler successfully reached the summit of Mount Elbrus at 10:23 Russian time, the highest peak in Europe.

A huge congratulations to TA, seen here planting the Applecore flag at the top of Mount Elbrus.

In the wee hours of the morning, seven of their group of eight attempted their summit climb and five of these (including TA) were successful. In a conversation via satellite phone, TA said she was thrilled with the amazing progress her team had made, and that the weather was “very windy and cold.” The team made it safely down the mountain and TA was back in St. John's by Sunday, July 19th.

Tourism: A Social Media Butterfly?

As promised, here's the Applecore article that ran in the June 2009 issue of the St. John’s Board of Trade Business News Magazine. The theme of the month was Tourism, and since that's a subject which we know well, we just had to weigh in!

Tourism: A Social Media Butterfly?

Social media – it’s a phrase that people are beginning to recognize! In fact, many people use social media every day, though they may not call it that. Social media is an umbrella term for all the technologies that allow social interaction online. In other words, it’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, and it may just be the best way to talk to consumers.

Social media has been an area of marketing many businesses have been more reluctant to adopt, for lots of reasons: they worry about losing control, about getting caught up, about taking on too much too fast. But it’s getting easier and more essential than ever to get involved. Otherwise, as consumers demand that companies engage in more direct interaction, we risk being left behind. A new business model is developing that gives more power to the consumer.

But it’s nothing to be afraid of! For industries like Tourism, which is not only the world’s largest industry but also a top online sector, learning how to have these conversations with travellers is crucial. The statistics are compelling: 3,000,000 messages are sent over Twitter every day, Facebook is used in over 170 countries, blogs have 346,000,000 daily readers and YouTube boasts over 100,000,000 videos. In most cases, start-up costs are minimal. With all this potential for consumer/company interaction, social media is becoming the natural, low cost platform for marketing a destination in a way that is honest, informative and transparent.

NewfoundlandLabrador.com is a great example of a tourism destination using social media. The province’s online tourism destination marketing has grown to include social media distribution channels like a YouTube channel, a Facebook page with almost 5,000 fans, a custom Twitter account, Travel Blog, a Virtual Scrapbook that features user-uploaded photos and comments/ratings.

Think of how far a good review can go when it comes to social media and trip planning! Online features like user reviews, peer to peer communication and fan comments hold a powerful influence over the average traveller. For example, a Jupiter Research study says 58% of potential travellers trust content from users, like consumer ratings or traveller reviews, for trip planning. The same study also said 36% named this user content as an influence in the final decision-making process, ahead of factors like brand awareness (21%) or even a friend’s recommendation (14%).

Beware of the “island effect”—or, letting social media platforms stand on their own with no interaction. Using social media right means connecting each channel – embedding your uploaded YouTube videos into your Facebook page, posting links to your blog on Twitter, redirecting from YouTube to your website. Each bridge you build between your “islands” makes it easier for the user to experience all your business has to offer.

So dive in—just take your social media in steps. You don’t have to master every platform at once. When it comes to social media, getting started is the hard part— riding the learning curve is fun and exciting. Remember--social media is a powerful marketing engine, but one that needs regular fuel and a willingness to learn.

Originally published in the St. John's Board of Trade's Business News Magazine, June 2009. All rights reserved.

Learn more about the St. John's Board of Trade.