Google vs Norton: Somebody Must Be Telling a Lie!

Google search engine gives us the links to sites based on our search query. But if for some reason Google deems your computer could be compromised by clicking on the link, it issues a text warning beside the link you’re about to click: This site may harm your computer or The site may be compromised. In that way, should you decide to follow your instinct and your machine gets infected, Google can only say, “I told you”.

But what if you don’t only follow your instinct, you also follow someone else’s recommendation?

Continue reading Google vs Norton: Somebody Must Be Telling a Lie!

New IFC HK Website: Never Learned

A couple of friends in Facebook notified their connections through their respective walls about the new-look website of the International Finance Centre.

I must say that this is a welcome news, knowing that the previous version was more than half a decade old. Not that the old one was horrible looking (see Disclosure below.), but a lot of things must have evolved during the period that the website may. During the same feature, rivals Pacific Place, Citygate Outlets and Harbour City underwent online facelift.

Continue reading New IFC HK Website: Never Learned

Ben & Jerry’s vs G2000 Web Watch at Marketing Interactive

A reprint from my contribution to Marketing magazine’s Web Watch published in May 2009.

Ben & Jerry’s (www.benjerry.com.hk) *****
Ben & Jerry’s Hong Kong website offers more than just the obvious mouth-watering ice cream flavors. It showcases everything a curious ice cream fan wants to know about the company. From Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield’s humble beginnings in Vermont to its current worldwide presence, and from its serious commitment to the community to the funny sets of moo-themed games and e-cards, everything seems covered.

The transparency behind the company’s process of preparing ice cream helps promote the brand more than it exposes its “secret” ingredients.By showcasing Ben & Jerry’s community involvement and care for environment, an avid ice cream lover doesn’t feel too guilty when he or she gets another scoop.

Continue reading Ben & Jerry’s vs G2000 Web Watch at Marketing Interactive

My Ideal Ranking Factors for Web and Local Listings

Something’s playing around my mind while I was on my way home from work. I recalled a search for “web design hong kong” earlier. On top of search results page is a collection of web design businesses, their phone numbers and Google map plotting the approximate location of these businesses.

Unfortunately, the results failed to impress me. It is easy to notice that some businesses listed are based in China, by merely looking at their telephone numbers.

Heck, I was searching for “web design hong kong” and there are sites found within the search results coming from China? That’s how Google sees it (or fails to notice other designers in the neighborhood). Not that Hong Kong had few web design firms, maybe a lot without knowledge about Google Local and their ability to display their businesses on Google Map.

Continue reading My Ideal Ranking Factors for Web and Local Listings

A Day In The Life Of An SEO Guru

8:09am
Decides to wake up after a couple of alarm clock snoozes. Realizes that he’s late for work, he decides to skip breakfast and just had quick shower, brush his teeth, dress up and zoom to work.

8:48am
Reaches his desk and turns on his PC which was left on the whole night. The reason: Advanced Web Ranking has been measuring ranking of his client’s keywords. Quickly glances at the report and shrugs his shoulders when he doesn’t notice anything exciting on the rankings. He closes the application. Opens his Google Reader and quickly glances at Search Engine Marketing related articles. Marks a few of them for reference later.

Photo credit: zeruch

Continue reading A Day In The Life Of An SEO Guru