Total WSInetsolutions http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com We Simplify the Internet Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:15:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 EU Cookie Law http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/eu-cookie-law/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eu-cookie-law http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/eu-cookie-law/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:15:20 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=754 EU Cookie law is here. This is what you need to know and how it affects your company.

The deadline is now less than a month away

What is the Law?

The EU cookie law requires all websites to notify users that the site uses cookies and to seek permission from the user for certain types of cookie. It has been in UK law since May 2011 but website owners have been allowed a year’s grace before the law is enforced. This grace period expires on the 26th May 2012. The fine for non-compliance is up to half a million pounds.

What is a Cookie?

Cookies are small bits of information that a website stores on your computer. They are usually there to make your browsing experience better or to gather information about the website user’s behaviour for the site owner. For example it allows a website to recognise if you have visited that site before or for information to be used with Google Analytics.

How Does it Affect Me?

If your company has a website, you will almost certainly have to make changes to your site to comply with the law.


How Can WSI Help?

WSI can run a full EU Cookie Compliance Audit on your website for just £85 plus VAT. This will include a full list of cookies your site uses and our recommendations for ensuring your site is compliant.

Just email Tracy@totalwsinetsolutions.com and we will start the process for you and send you over the full report.

I’m sure you will agree that £85 plus VAT is a small price to pay to find out what you need to do to avoid the risk of a heavy fine of up to half a million pounds!

Kind Regards

Tracy Spence

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/eu-cookie-law/feed/ 0 Social Media – Parents Challenges http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/social-media-parents-challenges/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=social-media-parents-challenges http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/social-media-parents-challenges/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:12:33 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=750 As a parent, we always want to make sure our children are safe. We teach them stranger danger, we teach them safety in the home, and at school they are taught other lifeskills too that help them grow as a person.
But, with Social Media in the mix, something that the younger generation take for granted as being a part of their life, the older generation sometimes feel they are being left behind.
Parents hear in the news about cyberbullying, about slanderous comments on twitter and their instant reaction is to ban social Media from their homes.
However, with children increasingly using smartphones, the internet is more accessible than ever before in the UK and other countries. If a child really wants to engage with others using Social Media then they will find a way.
  • How does a parent keep a tab on what their child is doing?
  • What worrying signs should parents look out for?
  • What should parents really be concerned about?
As a Digital marketing expert, and a parent, maybe this blog will help you to focus your efforts in the right places.
1 – Monitor your computer
Yes, parents can use software to monitor what is happening online with their children. But, once again your child may be very computer savvy, and you should bear this in mind if you are relying on these tools to monitor your child online.
Once upon a time…
I was telling my own children that I was monitoring my computer, which they used to borrow when they were younger, to do their homework and a little research. They also used to use it to play certain games – mainly educational or thought provoking.
I was watching one day when a friend of my child came round. He came complete with a laptop.
I had made sure there was enough doubt in my childs’ mind that I knew everything. I heard my child saying to his friend that what he was doing was inappropriate because “my mum is an expert and can see everything you do”.
I watched as my sons friend showed him how to use incognito (private) browsing, then uploaded Chrome so that they could browse freely with a different browser that did not have this monitoring tool on it.
Moral of the story…
If a child wants to do something bad enough, they will find a way.
2 – Signs for Concern
A parents worst nightmare is the unsavoury online predator. A person who grooms your child with the intent of eventually meeting up. We have heard a lot on the news about this kind of thing and it is terrifying.
But we need to put this into perspective. Most people online are genuine and not scary at all. As a parent we never heard of this kind of thing happening, so it must be a new thing right? No, as we were growing up the news was not as instant as it is now, the internet tells us everything rather than the selective news we had on TV. But, we should still be aware, and we should know how to protect our children.
  • Stranger Danger – this applies online too – tell your child that if they do not know someone, they should not connect. People can be anything online, they can lie about their name, age, gender… and these people are the ones to be wary of.
  • Bullying - be open with your child, ensure they have a route to tell you (or another adult) if they are being bullied online. This is no different to offline bullying, it needs addressing in a similar way, but is harder to spot because it is not physical.

Signs to look out for are:

  • secrecy
  • quietness
  • unusual behaviour

The signs for syber bullying are similar to the signs for mental bullying offline too.

 

3 – Join In

The best way to protect your child online is to understand the environment they are “playing” in. As they are growing up, we spend time with them in playgrounds, we spend time at their friends houses with them, but as they grow and become more independent we have to let them do their own thing. We have to trust that when they are playing football at the park with their friends, they are not taking drugs or smoking. Online is different!

I engage with my children on Social Media. I can see all their posts, I have helped them create lists and adjust their privacy settings. I have discussed stranger danger and laid out the rules. I have also set a time limit on these activities… I will explain this soon.

I know that this may be a little difficult for some parents, we are not all experts in Social Media after all. But there are lots of courses available, and I would encourage you to participate. The local Scouts groups and the local Libraries are a good first point of call if you do not have a local educational institute nearby offering these services.

Alternatively, ask your childs’ school to engage the services of a social media expert in your area to deliver a hands on workshop. You can all put some money in a pot to cover the costs.

4 – Time Limits

I set a time limit for my children, and I personally think that this is a good idea based on the old adage… “a little bit of what you fancy” will do you no harm. Extremes and excesses in anything are the killers in our society.

I like to make sure my children have a balanced lifestyle. They both partake in sports, they both spend time doing homework and revising, they both spend time outdoors, they both have some relaxation time, party time, and of course computer time as well.

One of the biggest things I hear from people about Social Media is the lack of life skills our children are growing up with. It is assumed that because our children write in text speak that they cannot speak, write or spell. It is assumed that if they are on the computer all day long, they cannot be using their brain.

I counter that.

Surely this depends on what the child is doing online?

Yes Social Media is a chat forum, but also it can be used highly creatively – for example:

  • SIMs games – where they create towns and cities from scratch, consider the infrastructure, consider the materials for building, what should go where and how it should be laid out.
  • Images – children and teens can get very creative rendering images, adding their own personality to them.
  • Homework – children and teens often collaborate online… testing each other is a real favourite.
  • Videos – children and teens create great videos, and are incredibly creative with it.

My point of view is that as long as it is balanced, there is no harm in embracing new technology and keeping up with the times.

As a parent, it really is your responsibility to ensure your child is safe, and what better way than to have fun with them.

For more information about training courses, please do not hesitate to get intouch.

Tel: 01604 652006

Tracy@totalwsinetsolutions.com

About Tracy Spence

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/social-media-parents-challenges/feed/ 0 Analytica, Germany – Video Optimisation and Online Press Release http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/analytica-germany-video-optimisation-and-online-press-release/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=analytica-germany-video-optimisation-and-online-press-release http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/analytica-germany-video-optimisation-and-online-press-release/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:53 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=740 Analytica Mike Busby 2012 GermanyMike Busby and Tracy Spence represented WSI at the Labmates stand at the Analytica exhibition in Germany, April 2012.

Working alongside Labmates to educate and inform visitors at the exhibition, Mike Busby and Tracy Spence were speaking about two key online subjects:

  • Video Optimisation
  • Online Press release

WSI – We Simplify the Internet. WSI is the world leader in Internet marketing, web development, and web design. WSI provides Internet consultancy and Internet development services worldwide. Our services include Video Optimisation and Online Press Release Syndication and management of course, but we also offer internet marketing services that encompass website design and conversion analysis, Web Presence Optimisation,  Social Media Management and Online Reputation Management to name but a few.

labmate-online.com is an online reflection of the printed publications International Labmate, Labmate UK & Ireland and Lab Asia.

Labmate offers visitors access to past articles, news, and the ability to search the whole site by a specific key word. The site also contains the latest news, technical articles, exhibition information and tenders in the Laboratory sector.

At Analytica, Germany 2012… WSI and Labmates have come together to help companies understand how they can market themselves better online.

For more information, please feel free to make contact.

info@wsi-eweb.com

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/analytica-germany-video-optimisation-and-online-press-release/feed/ 0 Tracy Spence – AIM certified for 2012 http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/tracy-spence-aim-certified-for-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tracy-spence-aim-certified-for-2012 http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/tracy-spence-aim-certified-for-2012/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:13:22 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=743 For the last 3 years, Tracy Spence has achieved her Advanced Internet Marketing Certification through the WSI programme of education.
Around 10% of WSI Internet Consultants are Advanced certified, and Tracy is one of only 22 AIM Certified Consultants  in the UK
WSI, the world’s #1 Internet Marketing Franchise, as ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine, has the largest network of Internet Marketing Consultants operating in more than 80 countries. All of our WSI Consultants undergo an extensive training program in order to remain competitive in this fast-advancing field of Internet marketing. Those who successfully complete all the education requirements are recognized with a WSI Advanced Internet Marketing (AIM) certificate.

About the WSI Advanced Internet Marketing (AIM) Certification Program:

With more than a decade of experience as a global leader in the Internet marketing industry, WSI recognizes that becoming an effective learning organization is the foundation for long-term success. More importantly, WSI understands that learning within the organization must keep pace with the rapid changes taking place in our growing business environment – the Internet and digital media.

The WSI Advanced Internet Marketing (AIM) Certification Program offers WSI Consultants the opportunity to enhance their knowledge on Internet marketing techniques and best practices through advanced courses and activities.

Our Consultants enhance their expertise and
knowledge through the following:

» WSI Global Conventions, including 16+ hours of training targeted at industry/professional skills

» Regional Digital Media Training Courses

» Local Hands-on Workshops

» Landing Page Optimization Course

» Online Testing Fundamentals Course

» Email Marketing Course

» Advanced SEO Course

» Insider’s Guide to Search Engine Marketing Course

» Linking and Brand Management Course

» Social Media Course

» Google AdWords Professional Course

» Web Analytics Course

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/tracy-spence-aim-certified-for-2012/feed/ 0 WSI’s Mike Busby and Tracy Spence to speak at Analytica, Germany 2012 http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/wsi-mike-busby-and-tracy-spence-to-speak-at-analytica-germany-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wsi-mike-busby-and-tracy-spence-to-speak-at-analytica-germany-2012 http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/wsi-mike-busby-and-tracy-spence-to-speak-at-analytica-germany-2012/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 10:41:05 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=731 Tracy Spence Paris 2012International Labmate, WSI & The Scott Partnership have put together a selection of marketing professionals from within and outside the industry, to deliver high value seminars at Analytica 2012.

The course of seminars  will focus on providing reliable marketing intelligence and guidance to improving communications in online Press Release content. Lending tips and examples from proven successful campaigns.

The programme will focus on five main areas,

  • Video Press Release
  • Getting social media to work with your brand
  • Press Release Optimisation
  • Rolling out your brand Globally
  • How not to exhibit

 

Each session will run for about 20 mins on the International Labmate Booth at Analytica 2012 (stand A1 106) on 17 & 18 April. Book your place now as space is very limited.

>>A practical guide for managers.

 

Why do I need to attend?

Video Press release

If a picture is worth a thousand words? whats the value for a video?

Did you know youtube is the second largest search engine second to Google, who own youtube? Did you know youtube handles more search queries than all Microsoft search engine platforms? Well how can your company leverage this opportunity?

 

Getting social media to work with your brand

Twitter, facebook, stumble, linked in – are you missing out on additional traffic?

 

Press Release Optimisation

Make your Press release work harder, duplicate content across search engines and new algorithms make for interesting times.

 

Rolling out your brand Globally

learn the best practice for submerging your brand into different countries and cultures.

 

How not to exhibit

Your company is spending large amounts of money exhibiting at large trade shows, the ROI is important to you, this session will exploit how not to exhibit.

 

Reserve Your Space http://ilm.qmailer.co.uk/link/1339/1016247/17274

 

Organised and set up by International Labmate

The aim of these sessions is to assist marketing professionals with online marketing activities, promotion and exposure in the three main vehicles, online, print and show presence. I look forward to meeting you in Germany.

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/wsi-mike-busby-and-tracy-spence-to-speak-at-analytica-germany-2012/feed/ 0 Google Plus Business Pages http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-plus-business-pages/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-plus-business-pages http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-plus-business-pages/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:42:18 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=723 FINALLY!

The news all us Google plus fans have been waiting for… http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/google-pages-connect-with-all-things.html

As of today, Google are rolling out (and you have to be pretty special to get one) their business pages.

A number of pages are already available (see below), but any organization will soon be able to join the community at plus.google.com/pages/create.

As you can see… you have to be special, the rest of us mere mortals will have to wait.
]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-plus-business-pages/feed/ 0 Linked In Company Pages http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/linked-in-company-pages/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=linked-in-company-pages http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/linked-in-company-pages/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:31:13 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=720 We have been using Linked In company pages for a while, adding products and services and cololecting recommendations that stay with the company rather than the staff member.

Now Linked In have created a “Company Status Update” that goes to your Company Followers, rather than appearing on your connections status update area.

I guess this means we now have to work on gaining Company Followers too.

Linked In are also allowing us to see stattistics about your status updates, like Facebook, showing the number of impressions a post received, and the percentage of interaction.

All this additional information should make us all much better Social Media Marketers, as we understand our online user visitor behaviour more and more.

Thank you Linked In for giving us more to teach on our training courses, and another new slide to create.

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/linked-in-company-pages/feed/ 0 Google Encryption http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-encryption/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-encryption http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-encryption/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:01:02 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=714 Making Search More Secure

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/making-search-more-secure.html

Google announced a few days ago that they would be making changes to search, by simply adding an SSL …

Simply?

What does it mean for you as a business owner? It means dramatic changes to the information that Google collects and shares, and it also means dramatic changes for those of us who are offering Search Engine Optimisation to our clients.

Potentially, when we work with a client, the information on Google Analytics (which helps us drive your business forward in the right direction that your company needs) may not all be available… there is an option however for us to look at the analytics through Google Webmasters, but this will not be stored foreever, just for a certain number of days, meaning more intensive manual research for annual trending will be required.

We are watching the comments and the blog posts and working with our Google Analytics experts to try to understand the coming changes in more detail, and we will keep you informed of course.

What we recommend in the interim is that every website owner verifies their ownership through Google Webmasters in order that they can continue to receive that fantastic data that they are used to receiving from Google.

Of course, if you need help, you know you can contact us on 01604 652006 or email info@totalwsinetsolutions.com

http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-encryption/feed/ 0 Steve Jobs Dies http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/steve-jobs-dies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=steve-jobs-dies http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/steve-jobs-dies/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:36:15 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=708 Steve Jobs, visionary, genius, co-founder of Apple dies at the young age of 56.

Leave your condolences here: http://www.apple.com/stevejobs/

]]> http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/steve-jobs-dies/feed/ 0 Google Analytics http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-analytics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-analytics http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/google-analytics/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:13:23 +0000 webmaster http://www.totalwsinetsolutions.com/?p=703 Google Analytics

With Google Analytics, it is really good to also understand what is happening offline, so that you can understand why you have peaks and troughs with your visitor engagement graphs.

So why not try annotating.

You can backtrack simply by referencing against your diary too.

For more information on how we can help your business grow by using Google Analytics (an amazing free tool), give us a call now on 01604 652006

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