Social Media Marketing

Is Google Plus a Facebook ‘killer’?

The highly anticipated Google+ Project has been launched and marks the entry of Google into the social media arena, and according to experts who have taken a tour of the features of this new Google product, will turn the rest of Google’s offerings into one giant social network.

There’s no doubt that this new social network targets Facebook as its competitor, and what it provides its users (even though it is restricted to invitation only) sets it apart from the popular Buzz and Orkut social media platforms that are being used these days.

Yet it’s going to take a while before Google+ can compete with the 700 million users of Facebook, there’s one of m any features that distinguishes it from Facebook in its current ‘avatar’: Circles.

Yes, you can create “circles” (smaller groups) that segregate your family members, colleagues, schoolmates for the purpose of being able to share specific information with each of these groups.

Until now, people would have to share information with everyone or message people in private if they wanted to convey information, and which can be a bit awkward especially in public – and this is where Google has customized the ability to share specific information with certain people only. Perhaps a feature that isn’t available on Facebook which makes one wonder why!

Now each of these Circles has their own streams (similar to Facebook’s Newsfeed) where you can share what you would like to each group without having to worry about any of the other groups seeing what you are sharing with the others.

Hangouts, a video group chat feature and Sparks, a search engine for hobbies are also two other features that this new social network has to offer, and even though the opportunity in this social network is by invitation only, people who are lucky enough to participate say that it is a winner alright.

Yet what is for sure is that there’s a long way to go before it threaten the reach of Facebook in the world of ‘social media’.

Business Services

How You Can Safeguard Your Financial Interests By Using A Person’s Credit Report

While the use of a credit report is for banks to keep track of those who have a past in making poor financial decision, gaining access to such a report such as this can result in better choices for landlords and employers alike.

If you aren’t how this is possible, here’s how it works. If you are planning to hire someone for your business or rent a property out to a prospective tenant, gaining insights into their financial past can tell you a lot about their spending habits.

For employers in particular, you will be able to not only find references that can be the deciding factor in hiring a person or not but landlords will also know whether the candidate has the money to pay the rent on time every month.

Interestingly, a driving record (much like a credit report) is used by the authorities for identification purposes but if you are an employer especially for a transportation company, knowing whether or not the person you are about to hire is a rash driver or not by the accidents that he or she might have gotten into.

Of course, if you decide to do a comprehensive criminal record search, not only will you gain access to DMV records but several types of court documents that can produce enough information to allow you to make the right decision about the person in question.

Finding information about prospective tenants or employees can not only save you a lot of money that is lost every year due to dishonest people in these positions but also grant you peace of mind in being able know that you have made the right decision, using their background records to know who they really are.

Business Services, Internet Marketing

Tips for Starting an Ecommerce Business

Starting an ecommerce business can be overwhelming — especially if it is your first venture on the Web. However, there are many firms that help start-ups with everything from custom website design to effective internet marketing strategies.

Before hiring a new Web agency, make sure that you’re investing in the right services. The following are a few services you shouldn’t go without.

Content and Brand Websites: Anyone can design a website. But not everyone can help you create the site you need through comprehensive fact-finding, research and analysis. New York-based Web agency Ecommerce Partners can build from scratch not only a website, but also a new online presence. In addition, the firm also professional copywriting services to ensure that your website features quality content that is both user- and search-engine friendly.

Internet Marketing: A custom web design team may be able to design and launch your new website, but they won’t have the experience or know-how to bring your website quality traffic and sales. This is why you need to invest in a firm that offers more than just website design services. Hire a Web agency like Ecommerce Partners that can offer vital internet marketing services, including online marketing strategies, search engine optimization services, email marketing, pay-per-click management and analytics.

Business Services

A Note on Alphabet Stencils Among Other Types

One of the most skillful professions is that of a cartoonist. Not only should the artwork match the humor (or irony) that is presented in words but the person should be able to do this day in and out. Think about it: the cartoonist has to get it right every day.

However, in being an artist, each work of art created is never duplicated yet there are times that for official, industrial or even revolutionary purposes, a message has to be reproduced several times.

This is where alphabet stencils can come in handy for warnings or even street art that has a theme to it but the purpose of using these stencils is very clear – keep people informed regardless of how many times you might need to reproduce that particular message.

When number stencils are used for official purposes, you can be sure that people who read the message know that it is from the government and definitely take it seriously.

If that’s not enough, you can even find the use of stencils in the form of parking lot and playground stencils apart from roads, streets and even airports areas since federal regulations demand that a particular style be used to deliver this message.

Yet stencils can not only be created for these practical purposes but also to bring out the art in you, and which has been clearly depicted in street art that uses stencil and spray paint. This comes with the same benefits as it can be quickly replicated on T-shirts, mugs, the city walls and the streets in general.

No matter what you think, stenciling has been around for a long time, and won’t go away so easily, thanks to the ability to express it gives people who aren’t artists at all.