Think Outback the Box!

Outback Solutions has a new website!  Special thanks to Jody Amato and Sandra Swenson-Scott for their assistance.

In order to visit the site, I ask that you initially open Google by clicking right here.  Then select the Outback Solutions link, which will look something like the information directly below.  By following this procedure you are sending a positive message to Google that assists the Outback Solutions site SEO.  I recommend you encourage your friends and associates do something similar with your site, i.e. search Google for a general phrase related to your site and click your site ONLY.  If you can’t find your site easily call Outback!

Internet Web Site Design | Outback Solutions Web Design …
www.outbacksolutions.com/
Outback Solutions, Web Design is an Internet website design, development, service company based in Sacramento, California.

When you enter the site please look at the following new pages.  At the very least please visit one internal page.
1. Outback Solutions photography.
2. Portfolio including categorized examples and thumbnails.
3. Our Team.

I would also ask you do as much or as little as you feel comfortable of the following items:
1. Review each of the pages of the site.
2. On the homepage:
a. Click the “Like” button in the lower right corner of the page.
b. Subscribe to Wallaby Blog by entering your email address in the space provided in the lower right corner.
c. Select the Facebook logo and “Like” the  Outback Solutions’ Facebook page.
d. Select the LinkedIn logo and click the appropriate button to follow Outback Solutions LinkedIn company page.

BTW, if you are interested in learning more about using various social media components to enhance your website’s SEO call Outback Solutions.

Thank you.

 

Private Eyes…They’re Watching You, Watching You, Watching You

By a show of hands, how many of you have you ever visited a Starbucks, Peets, McDonalds, hotel, library, an airport or some other location with free WiFi? Duh, of course you have!

Did you see anyone using a notebook computer  in the location?  Again, of course you have!

While using the free WiFi have you accessed the Internet, sent email or completed a financial transaction?  And for the third time, the answer is, well, of course!

No, this not a quiz to see how many inane questions I can ask, it is simply a
demonstration of the lack of awareness most people display while using their WWW devices in public places.

Many public WiFi networks are not secure, which means your information is not secure when you send to, or receive information from, the world wide web.  You may also like to consider that not everyone using their mobile device in your proximity is doing so for legitimate reasons.  The businessman, student, delivery guy or traveler seated at the next table may have  nefarious intent and you may be the next victim.

My goal in writing this post is not to scare you into NOT using your devices when out and about.  I know that won’t work (it doesn’t for me), but I would like you to consider the following precautions before you next use a public WiFi and agree to the “Terms and Conditions” which you haven’t even read!

1. Assume all WiFi networks are unsecured, until proven otherwise!
2. When you are on the road, ensure you control which networks your device accesses.  That is, set your phone or computer to manually select a network. For example, in the iPhone “Settings” select OFF for “Ask to Join Networks”.  This causes the phone to connect to known networks only.  You will have to manually select an unknown network.
3. Ensure the URL for the WiFi network is correct.  If you have any doubts speak to an employee or person in authority to determine the correct address.
4.  Avoid using unsecured hot spots if you can, which you probably won’t be able to.  In this instance, limit your Internet interaction to tasks which do not require passwords, AND only use a device that has sensitive information secured.  On the iPhone there a number of excellent apps for this purpose. I particularly like LockBox Pro.
5. If you are using a secured network, remember you must still only use encrypted sites (https) to send confidential, financial and sensitive information.
6. If you must transmit private information while remote from home or office, install encryption software on your computer.
7. Make sure your passwords are secure and difficult to compromise, i.e. include letters (upper and lower case), numbers and symbols.  Avoid words you can find in the dictionary, and NEVER use your name, your pet’s name or “password”.  Furthermore, don’t use the same password for all applications.

If you absolutely cannot resist  using your web enabled devices on the fly, opt for your smart phone over the computer.  They apparently pose a much greater challenge for would  be cyber snoops and  thieves.  Finally, to paraphrase Woody Allen’s immortal words, “It’s not paranoia if they are actually out to get you.”

 

Is Your Website Credible?

The elements of credibility behind the websites that pay for themselves.

Outback Solutions^® employs the Stanford University guidelines when creating and rebuilding websites.

 Make it easy to verify the accuracy of the information on your site.

 Show that there’s a real organization behind your site

 Highlight the expertise in your organization and in the content and services you provide

 Show that honest and trustworthy people stand behind your site

 Make it easy to contact you

 Design your site so it looks professional

 Make your site easy to use and useful

 Update your site’s content often

 Use restraint with any promotional content (e.g. ads, offers)

 Avoid errors, no matter how small they seem.

In addition, Outback Solutions^‘® standard operating procedures call for websites to:

 have a unique domain name (e.g. outbacksolutions.com)

 be workable across a range of browsers and operating systems

 offer free, accurate and valuable information

 prominently display contact information including phone, fax, email and address on every page

 insure every page has a single click return to the site homepage

Contact Us. Please call us at (916) 489-9302.  Our phones are answered by real, knowledgeable people Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. You may also send us email or click here to complete our online information request.

 

Ten Things Outback Solutions® Knows to be True

At Outback Solutions^® we set ourselves goals we know we can’t yet reach, because we know that by stretching to meet them we can go farther than we can see. We use the ten truths below to ensure we are still on track!

1. What Google^® wants Google^® gets. The Times of London described Google^® as the most influential company in history.  It is certainly the most popular website and search engine in the world.  Outback Solutions^® sites are designed and coded to be search engine friendly, with particular emphasis on Google.

2. Serving our clients is serving ourselves. We know what you do is important, and we know your web presence is a vital part of the plan.  Outback Solutions^® is focused on providing the best user experience possible. We want to be the first name you think of when any question involving the Internet arises.

3. Simple beauty is simply beautiful. Simplicity, functionality and beauty are the hallmarks of Outback Solutions^®.

4. Fast is better than slow. We know your time is valuable, so when you’re seeking a solution, a change or simply advice you want it right away.  We have a dedicated team responsible for the development and maintenance of sites.  Furthermore, our phones are answered by real, knowledgeable people Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

5. Content is king (or queen if you prefer). Appropriate, original content is the single most important feature of an effective web presence if you want to be found online.

6. Change Happens. We know things change.  Outback Solutions^® has a team that maintains our clients’ investments.  Our goal is to affect changes within 24 hours of receipt. We usually beat that by 22 hours!

7. Listening and Hearing Matters. Outback Solutions^® practices the platinum rule, “treat others the way they want to be treated”.  We know the client owns the project, and although we will offer advice, our aim is to provide the outcome the client wants.

8. Client Profitability Matters. We work primarily with business people, in both for profit and nonprofit entities.  We don’t see what we do as the final product.  It is a service or a platform that enables our clients to achieve their goals.

9. There’s always more information out there. With new information comes the need to update, refresh and redesign your web presence.  We provide ongoing maintenance, telephone support and overall Internet advice.

10.  Mistakes Happen…and when they do, Outback Solutions^® responds!

 

Fan Gates: How they Can Breathe Life into Your Facebook Business Page

Recently Outback Solutions was asked by a client, Costello’s Ace Hardware, to place a coupon on their Facebook page which could only be seen by those who select the page “Like” button.  This was an interesting request, and one I found actually offered a raft of opportunities for any business with a Facebook “business” page.

The premise of fan gate applications (as they are known) is that visitors to your business Facebook page can only see certain content if they “Like” the page.  This of course offers a tremendous opportunity to increase the number of people who follow your Facebook entries.  By offering special incentives, only available on Facebook, you may more effectively track the value of your page.  In addition, If you have a store front, like Costello’s Ace Hardware in Long Island, NY you may also increase the foot traffic into your place of business.

The application we used to create the Costello’s Ace Hardware “Coupons” fan gate page is  Wildfire’s “iFrames for Pages”.  It is easy to use and download, and even better, it provides a simple interface to add all the information needed to create a Fan Gate page.  Granted some basic knowledge of HTML is very helpful, but it is certainly not essential.  iFrames for Pages creates a panel in which you may:
1. Choose to turn Fan Gate “on” or “off”.
2. Create the “Fans View” using a custom image or HTML, and
3. Create the “Non-Fans View” using a custom image or HTML.
Once this complete it is a simply a matter selecting the disclaimer and saving your work. The page is immediately available and operational.

Given the success of the Costello’s Fan Gate, we have also added it to a number of other Facebook business pages including:
1.  Carmichael Ace Hardware – Sacramento, CA
2. Gardnerville Ace Hardware – Gardnerville, NV
3. Mr. Electric – Rancho Cordova, CA

If you would like to know more about how a Fan Gate can help build your Facebook business page following send an email to design@outback.ws or call 1-888-794-9287.

 

Believe in the Band

The Outback Solutions team recently completed work on Phase 1 of an adventurous and innovative social media website called “Believe in the Band” (BitB).  BitB is the brain child of Ronnie Hartong of Santa Cruz, CA and offers an online community for artists to connect with a worldwide network of fans, music professionals and other artists to share their passion for music.

At the heart of Believe in the Band is an exclusive virtual memorabilia program. All artists are given free virtual merchandise that may be personalized by the artists and then purchased by fans in order to support their success.  Fans display the bands virtual memorabilia on their fan page.  Bands earn royalties from the sale of their virtual memorabilia that they can use to travel to an event or to buy instruments or anything else they may need to succeed.

Unsigned artists may also post; videos, music and photos.  In addition, bands can:

1. post blog entries,

2. add events,

3. create a wishlist, and

4. send messages to their fans.
Click here to see a band page.  Click here to read the “Band FAQs”

Fans have fun adding merchandise to their page and showing their appreciation for the musicians that make the music they love.   Click here to see a fan page.  Click here to read the “Fan FAQs”.

Registration as a fan or a band is simple and easy.  Just select the links below:
1. Fan signup.
2. Artist signup.

Sign up today and tell your friends in unsigned bands that BitB is great way to create a following, and make money!

 

Surfing at 30,000ft!

Earlier this week my family I caught one of the last flights out of Dallas, TX before a massive winter storm closed the airport and crippled many eastern and southern states.  We had just spent four days in southern Indiana for the funeral of Eva’s mom.  AA Flight 1951 to Sacramento was the bumpiest ride I have experienced on a commercial airliner (weather related, not pilot or aircraft induced). It turned out to be a memorable flight, and not just because of the rough ride.  It was also my first experience using the Internet at 30,000ft!

American Airlines is one of a number carriers that now offers passengers inflight Wi-Fi. The service is called “gogo Inflight Internet”, and although it is not free, it is good value. During the flight I was able to:
a. surf the web,
b. send email,
c. post a Facebook status,
d. FTP updates for several Ace Hardware websites, and
e. even use “Go To My PC” to remotely access my office computer in Sacramento, CA.

In addition, I used both my laptop and iPhone while in flight!

It’s a simple three step process to get online with gogo:
1. Turn on laptop, pad or smart phone Wi-Fi.
2. Select the “gogoinflight” connection.
3. Launch the browser and sign up for gogo Inflight service.
There is a card in each seat pocket with specific instructions for iPhone and Blackberry.

As I said, the service is not free, but the prices are quite reasonable considering there is no alternative at 30,000ft. There are even several options available:
1. Flight Pass. $12.95 for an individual flight.
2. 24 Hour Pass. $11.00.
3. 6 Pack. $49.95 for a six flight bundle.
4. Unlimited. $34.95 per month automatically renewed, cancel anytime.

The bottom line for me was that for the price of a few Starbucks lattes (which I could not even buy in rural southern Indiana) I was able to complete a number of pieces of work which otherwise would have required me to work late after the flight or rise early the next day.  Good value indeed!

For more information visit goginflight.com

 

The Story of the Nativity

Watch this great video from Excentric to see how the Web might tell the Nativity story if it happened today!  It’s the original Christmas story told through various online mediums including; Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, GMail, Foursquare and Amazon.

Times may change, but the feeling remains the same.  Happy Digital Christmas!

 

“The Five Days of Business”

Happy Holidays from Outback Solutions!
As you know everything is faster on the web, so here are the “Five Days of Business” (to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas). Brought to you by Outback Solutions.  Remember us “For the best exposure you can get, without getting arrested!”

“The Five Days of Business”

On the first day of Business, my web guy gave to me;
A killer name on Go-o Daddy.

On the second day of Business, my web guy gave to me;
A beaut’ we-ebsite;
And a killer name on Go-o Daddy.

On the third day of business, my web guy gave to me;
Great SEO,
A beaut’ we-ebsite,
And a killer name on Go-o Daddy.

On the fourth day of Business, my web guy gave to me;
Top Google rank,
Great SEO,
A beaut’ we-ebsite,
And a killer name on Go-o Daddy.

On the fifth day of Business, my web guy gave to me,
Five golden telephone rings;
To-op Google rank,
Great SEO,
A beau-ut’ we-ebsite,
And a killer name on Go-o Daddy!

 

As Time Goes By

I’m often asked what times are the most people using Facebook, and when is the best time to get a status update read by the most people.  According to a number of observers early morning, midday and late afternoon are the most popular times for Facebook usage.

A social media management company called Virtrue recently released the results of a study that seem to confirm the observations.  Virtrue analyzed Facebook posts over a three year period which concluded in October 2010.  The results were drawn from more than 1.64 million posts.  Click here to read more about the study.

Listed below are some of the most interesting findings of the study:

• Week day Facebook usage becomes very popular beginning at about 8am PT and has peaks at 12noon and 5 pm PT.
• The single largest usage typically occurs at 12noon PT on week days.
• Usage during all week days is consistent, but Wednesday 12noon PT is the busiest hour.
• Usage is less pronounced  during the weekend.

So What? Your aim should be to get your message to the maximum number of readers, with the ultimate goal of  sending your idea or brand viral!  Therefore, your first step must be to broadcast your message to as many friends and readers as possible.  So now you know the most productive times to post those updates.  Get on to it, but please respect the hours of business and use them accordingly!