SEO specialists, web writers and website developers, take note: Ask.com has become the second search engine in Germany in the 1st Quarter of 2009, according to research firm Nielsen Netratings.

Google maintained a stronghold on the top spot with 36 million unique users per month on average, and Ask.com came in with 4.2 million users, edging out MSN (4 million unique users), Yahoo (2.5 million unique users) and AOL (1.7 million unique users).

Hold on…how did Ask.com become Germany’s second largest search engine? They bought a lot of Adwords traffic! Read more at Search Cowboys.

You wanted Google’s sitelinks? You got ‘em!

When businesses get serious about online presence, many ask about Google’s sitelinks – the set of links that show up underneath the first search result on the page. These links are great because they provide significant exposure, and allow Internet users to instantly access deeper pages.

Now Google is launching an expansion of sitelinks. Indeed, a single row of links can now appear for results beyond the first position. This means multiple results on one query can now have sitelinks. Up to four sitelinks can show up right above the page URL, instead of the usual two columns below the URL of the first result.

It’s a clever move by Google as businesses may be able to draw more visitors to valuable, but previously overlooked pages. And online visitors (or guests) will be able to scan additional headings and get to relevant information with less time and fewer clicks.

Read: One-line sitelinks on Google’s Webmaster Central Blog.

In the business realm, it’s been said formal learning fulfills 20 per cent of learning needs, while informal learning handles the other 80 per cent. Well, in the past, informal learning was turning to ask your colleague a question. Today, the rise of Web 2.0 technologies and social media brings the means to expand informal learning to the company scale, suggests Forrester Research’s Claire Schooley.

“As an information and knowledge management pro, the time is right to harness informal learning approaches like targeted job-related content, internal YouTube-type video clips, and employee-generated wikis,” reports Schooley.

Forrester indicates some forward-looking companies, such as BT (formerly British Telecom), Intel, and Nike, are making informal learning part of their learning programs, and are reaping rewards.

For the average Joe, a close look at a PC reveals a frightingly complex string circuitry, wires and computer chips. But Chad Rushka of TSG Computer Services, says: “You need not be scared anymore.”

To help you overcome your fear of looking a little closer at your PC, and perhaps getting your hands a little dirty, Rushka offers the following advice and guidelines:

Your computer is running really slow and taking forever to start, or open programs.

Your first steps should be to take care of the obvious.
(The steps outlined below are for Windows XP)

Take a look at your system tray, which is located at the bottom-right hand corner of your screen with all the icons in it. The icons showing in the system tray represent all the third-party programs running in the background. These programs are using precious system resources that would otherwise be available for other applications.
Browse through these icons, and determine which programs are necessary and which ones are not.

Continue reading →

To ensure the world doesn’t miss out on awe-inspiring or useful words, writers should always jot down ideas as they surface.

Inspired by lyrics? Someone said something captivating? Capture it! I recall an interview with Radiohead, where the band explained how a mutual friend said: “The best you can is good enough.” They were moved by the phrase, and eventually worked it into their lyrics for the tune Optimistic.

Sure, there are the BlackBerry, iPhone and generic microrecorder routes, but old school notebooks can be practical and fulfilling. In the cold digital age, tradition can be enchanting. In fact, you should check out MOLESKINE, which offers simple, legendary notebooks that have retained the thoughts of creative heavyweights like Van Gogh, Picasso and Hemingway.

Too much noise in your life? Pick a time of day when you can write without disruptions, and make it a habit. When you’re enjoying your morning latte? Late in bed? Whatever works for you. Find your time and try sticking with it.

Can’t seem to get inspired? Just dive in! Grab a blank sheet or screen and just start writing. If ideas or leads don’t emerge, try something different, like playing around with contradictory headlines. Try seeing things in a different perception.

Don’t let a brilliant thought get lost. Document your ideas.

It’s the Web, right? So it’s supposed to be sticky. Fortunately, there are simple ways to ensure visitors “stick around” your website.

Even avoiding pricey add-ons such as corporate videos, your web copy alone — if done right — can make your website more attractive to users. Here’s how:

1. Inject Some Personality, but Watch the Humour

Speak directly to your visitors in a personal, authentic voice. Most web users don’t want to be entertained; instead, they’re looking for specific information. Your web copy should direct them with a few choice, friendly words.

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For more than a decade, sales strategists have been advising businesses to take their marketing online. Forward-looking companies have heeded this message.

However, many businesses still prefer traditional media such as TV, radio and newsprint. So while typical consumers might spend 25% of their media time surfing the Web, these companies might only be investing 5% or so of their marketing budgets on websites and other online promotions.

These businesses need to get with the times and accelerate their investments on the Internet, especially during the downturn. Here are a few good reasons why.

Continue reading →

Soovle, a customizable engine that lets you tap into Google, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, Answers.com, Ask.com, YouTube, and Amazon with efficiency and ease, is entering the mainstream.

Despite common beliefs, the suggestion site doesn’t actually crawl the Web. When you start typing a search term, Soovle immediately offers suggestions for related terms. When you want to hook up with Soovle’s suggestions, just click on the result and the innovative site will take you there.

It makes for a neat search tool, and is packed with features. Surf Soovle now!

Your shiny new website copy is finally in place, and is starting to bring in business. Great!

But before you amortize your investment, consider how those carefully crafted words can work for your business in other places.

Repurposing your website marketing copy will:

• Reinforce your brand identity
• Establish consistent messaging
• Increase customer recognition

It will also give you more than your money’s worth.

Explore 10 ways to repurpose your website copy so it works overtime for your company, online and offline.

During a recent web writing class, I was surprised to learn several participants felt websites in general have only one main purpose: to sell products or services.

In the business realm, promoting products and services is common. However, there are many other types of websites, including:

• Personal or biographic websites, a.k.a. blogs
• News websites, which can complement newspapers
• Informational websites, designed to share information on specific topics or hobbies
• Instructional websites, ready to educate you, often cost-effectively and around the clock
• Community websites, or social websites, Web 2.0 sites…call them what you will
• And entertainment websites, made to distract or amuse you

If you’re looking to launch a new website, be sure to answer a few key questions before you employ a web designer, web writer or any one else. It’ll save you much money and time, and help you succeed.