Google as announced another great feature to it’s suite of cloud computing applications, Priority Inbox. This great new little feature puts important mail to the top of your inbox so you can read it first. It is self tuning so as you use it, the filter gets better.

The Features

Automatic Sorting

Gmail uses a variety of signals to identify important email, including which messages you open and which you reply to.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Google and it’s offering of Google Apps is a leader in cloud computer solutions. To continue that growth in usability, Google recently added a great new feature to the Google Docs suite. You can now upload any file type without having it converted to a Google Doc format. Until now Google Docs only supported uploading documents that could be converted to Doc, Sheets,Presentation, and PDF.

This is a great new feature because you can now upload raw files to you Docs account and share them with clients, co-workers, friends and family.

You can start using this feature now by doing the following

Login into your Goggle Docs account to upload files, click the Upload button on the Docs list homepage.

Select your files you want to upload

Click Select files to upload files from your computer. When the Browse dialog is open, select the file you’d like to upload to Google Docs. To select multiple files, press Shift or Ctrl and click all the files to upload. If you first select one file and then decide to upload more, click the Select more files link that appears after you upload the first file.

Uncheck the Convert file option to just upload files

You can simply store the uploaded file in Google Docs, or convert it to Google Docs format so you can later edit it online. To store the file without converting it, make sure you deselect the option to convert the file. If you’d like to convert your document, presentation or spreadsheet to Google Docs format, you don’t need to take any extra steps. The checkbox right below the Folder drop-down menu is selected by default.

That is it, now with Google Docs you can back up files from your computer and access them from anywhere you are connected. Also, this is a great way to share files with other people using the share feature in Google Docs.  If you do not have a Google Apps account be sure to let us know and we can help get you set up right away.

Some of you may not even know what cloud computing is and how or why you should care. PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer recently did a interview with Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt about cloud computing. The interview took place July 9,2009 [A] and is included below and gives some great insight on why cloud computing is coming of age now, and what to expect in the future of cloud computing.

[A] PBS News Hour Extended Interview: Google CEO Eric Schmidt

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (January 14, 2009) – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced a program enabling technology solution providers to sell Google Apps™ to businesses around the world. Authorized resellers will be able to sell, customize and support Google Apps Premier Edition for customers of all sizes, creating new revenue opportunities for partners and easier access to Google’s popular cloud services for more businesses.

“Google Apps has reached a level of maturity where it is useful and valuable for almost any business” said Dave Girouard, President of Enterprise, Google. “This program gives IT solution providers an easy way to introduce cloud computing to their service offerings, while helping more businesses make the transition to this new era of technology.”

So what does this mean for you and clients of daMANG Web Hosting? Great news…

Starting January 15th, 2009 daMANG will begin setting up Google apps accounts for each of our customers. Now with all hosting accounts email services will be handled by Google Apps. This setup will include setting up your Google Apps account and then as February 1st,2009 all mail services will be turned on and you will use Google for your email.

The Google Apps system allows you to do email, calendar, documents and more from any computer any browser. Watch a video introduction below »

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJT3pagjd8s

Some other Videos for Google Apps

Google Docs

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA

Gmail in Google Apps

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JJDugn4RoQ

Tell Us Your Thoughts

What do you think? Do you Like Gmail? Do you want a Google Apps Account?

If you could send a “silent video email” to subscribers, would you?

In a previous discussion of how to send video emails, we noted that Flash and JavaScript (which video programs typically rely on) are blocked by pretty much every major email provider out there.

Our suggestion, then, was to put a picture of the video in your email and encourage subscribers to click on it to play the video.

This is a useful way to drive traffic to your video, but it’s not quite a video email – after all, there’s no movement to grab the reader’s attention. It uses a static image just like other HTML emails do.

Recently, someone took the idea of video email a step further and created an email marketing campaign that used video in a way that I hadn’t thought feasible – and it displayed properly in nearly all major email programs!

Here’s how she did it…

“Silent Video Email” Uses Animated GIF

Take a look at this email created for the movie “Twilight” (link opens in new window).

That video trailer playing on the left-hand side? It not only works on the web page, but it works in all major email clients except Outlook 2007 (which only displays the first frame of the trailer).

In other words, it works in:

• AOL
• Yahoo
• Hotmail
• Gmail
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• And More

Pretty cool, no?

How’d They Do That?

The email uses an animated GIF to simulate video.

GIFs have been used before in numerous email campaigns, but I’ve never seen one used on this kind of scale – most tend to be just a couple of frames and are often used to create small moving icons.

Anna was kind enough to post a detailed write-up of how she made the GIF. I’ve included my “Cliffs Notes” version below, but her write-up includes a lot of useful suggestions on frame rates, dimensions, colors, and other technical details that can help you create a high-quality animation.

1. Record or capture video
2. Convert video file to GIF
3. Upload GIF to your website
4. Put GIF into your email just like any other image
5. Add remaining email content
6. Test and send your email!

A Few Things to Consider When Using This Tactic

1. This tactic can be useful not only for “normal” videos, but for any situation where animation might be helpful.Two quick examples of this: a 360-degree rotating view of a product and a “slideshow” of different rooms in a house for sale.
2. You don’t get any sound in the email with this method.So if your original video has sound, and that sound adds meaning/value to the video, link the image to a page of your website where your subscribers can go watch the video with sound.
3. If someone has images turned off, they’re not going to see the animation.Encourage subscribers to turn on images. Also, provide a text link to an online version of the video.
4. Keep the video short and the file size small. The image in Anna’s example was over 2MB, which is pretty big, especially for subscribers on slow Internet connections.You want your image to load quickly, right?

You can read the rest of the article on Aweber’s site »

Search engine have done all the hard work of collecting and analyzing web pages, BUT it only makes that information available when someone does a search by entering words in the search box and hitting return. The words people use when they search therefore determine the results the search engine presents. We call them keywords: keywords are only the words people use when they search.

Use keywords in your website copy and you will prosper: ignore them and your online business will surely fail.

The secret of writing great online copy is simple: use keywords–the words people use when they search–in your copy.

The reasons for this are twofold:

1. If you use the words people use when they search in your copy, page titles, descriptions and links, then you’ll score well in search engine results and more people will find your site.
2. The language you use will be appropriate to your audience. As any seasoned direct marketer will tell you, speak to people in their own language and they will be more likely to buy from you.

That of course begs the question, “How do you find your best keywords”? Most people either just guess, or do perfunctory research using one of the many free keyword tools that are found online.

However, if you want to succeed online, you’ve got to spend enough time and energy discovering the words your customers really use when they search. You’ll need not just 20-30 keywords, you’ll need hundreds–and many of the most successful online companies will have thousands of keywords.

A great tool to find these keywords is a tool call “Wordtracker“. The site has a comprehensive set of tools to allow you to do the keyword research for your business and really find the keywords your customers are using.  Here is my affiliate link and you can get a free 7 day trial,  Wordtracker – The Premier Keyword Research Tool for Search Engine Optimization

Also, you can download the free ebook Keyword Basics and learn a bit more about keywords and the importance the play for you online business and your SEO efforts. Download ebook here »

Next week, I will be writing about another tool that I use called WebCEO, subscribe now and get the story delivered to your inbox.

What do you use for Keyword research? What suggestions can you offer to our readers?

1. The Internet functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has the most inexpensive and widespread marketing capabilities.
2. The Internet is an excellent way to market your business and sell your products and services because of expanded marketplace, not tied to geography.
3. More and more customers are logging on, making purchases, buying services and researching choices and information through the Internet. (an estimated 248,241,969 internet users, that is a 206% increase from 200-2007)
   
4. A good website will help you reach and retain customers; you can use it to interact with your customers send information to customers, reply to emails day and night.
5. You can reply to your customers or potential customers automatically without you having to get involved at all with “autoresponders”
6. It can be used simply to let potential customers know you are there instead to just sell, particularly those that rely on a local customer base this can be an invaluable source of additional customer inquiries.
7. If your business needs to produce brochures or any kind of sales literature it is cheaper to have the customer download it to his machine and print it then you to produce a brochure which you then send
8. You can use it to attract customers from outside you local area, you can take your products to totally new markets.
9. Customers expect to see you on the Internet; if you cannot meet this expectation then they will go to someone else.
10. Many people prefer to search for a company on the Internet rather than search their local Yellow Pages or newspaper.
11. They are an effective and efficient way to communicate with potential customers, employees and suppliers.
12. They can be easily updated, keeping your product listings and prices always accurate, everyone can see updated information without having to wait.
13. Web sites offer an ideal way of showcasing your previous work and accomplishments to potential customers and you can build reputation, credibility and trust with potential customers.
14. No matter what your size, a website offers your business the same advantage as your biggest competitors so with a well designed website of even a one man operation can have the same presence as a multi-national corporation.
15. An interactive online catalog makes your company’s products accessible everywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year.
16. Selling online is a cost-effective way to sell as it comes without the customary overhead of a physical store, like building leases, employees
17. You can put an enormous amount of information onto your web site for only a little money; you can have pages and pages of information about your company, products or services
18. Your web site can help with improved customer service by providing information visitors can access, there can be a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ about your service or product.
19. You can test out new services or products instantly and less expensively, simply put up a new web page setting out the relevant information, and sends an e-mail to your database of existing customers, and ask for their views.
20. You can combine email marketing with your web site and save hundreds on advertisements.

You can just look at the advancement that is happening with the internet and your business is required to explore the opportunities that may be missed if you are not on the internet. A good informative website that is well designed and usable is a must. Content is king and it is important to remember that in your website. Watch this blog for our next article on site design tips for successful online business.

Is your business online? How long as your business been online and what tips can you share that are not posted here?

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For many users of the internet the browser they use does not matter much and Internet Explorer still dominates the market. I have been a avid user of Firefox and do believe that with some information the browser you use will provide you a better internet experience. To start out with I will tell you about the new internet browser from Google called Chrome.

Inside Google Chrome

Google’s idea of creating a new browser does make sense, I mean they are currently the company that is leading the growth in the internet. They offer a wide range of tools and services that many people, including myself, use. So who better qualified to make a new browser?

I have downloaded the new browser and installed in on my main laptop that I use and initially have enjoyed the setup and useage. In my opion it was easy to install and worked great so far, I have only been using it for 1 day so I will keep you updated. Here is what Google has to say.

What Google Chrome offers to you

Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

Web search. Web history. Address bar. Suggestions as you type. One unified box serves all your browsing needs.

Every time you open a new tab, you’ll see a visual sampling of your most visited sites, most used search engines, and recently bookmarked pages and closed tabs.

Use web apps without opening your browser. Application shortcuts can directly load your favorite online apps.

You can drag tabs out of the browser to create new windows, gather multiple tabs into one window or arrange your tabs however you wish — quickly and easily.

Every tab you’re using is run independently in the browser, so if one app crashes it won’t take anything else down.

Don’t want pages you visit to show up in your web history? Choose incognito mode for private browsing.

Google Chrome warns you if you’re about to visit a suspected phishing, malware or otherwise unsafe website.

Want to bookmark a web page? Just click the star icon at the left edge of the address bar and you’re done.

When you switch to Google Chrome, you can pick up where you left off with all the bookmarks and passwords from your existing browser.

No intrusive download manager; you see your download’s status at the bottom of your current window.

Learn more

The story behind Google Chrome
Watch a video from the development team on the thinking and features behind Google Chrome.

Download Google Chrome