Archive for the ‘General’ Category

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Social Media Marketing – The Undeniable Benefits

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Social Media Marketing is one of the most effective tools for boosting your online business and making a presence for it in the web world. Before we move forward, let’s look at what Social Media actually is, and then we get to how it can work wonders for you. Social Media Marketing is a platform of web content created by people through real communications on various social networking websites and by gathering information from people all over the world.

But is making a profile on LinkedIn enough? Or Will making a business page on Facebook or MySpace solve the purpose?

The answer is a big NO! Because making a profile alone will not help, you have to jump into all the action and make some serious communication efforts. You have to be as active on your business profile as you would be on your own profile.

The perks of Social Media Marketing:

Social Media Marketing offers numerous benefits which provide the much deserved limelight to your online business. Let’s look at some of these perks:

1. Social Media Marketing can get huge amounts of free traffic to your website, which in turn results in increased visibility.

2. Through various social networking profiles, you can build a considerable fan base for your online products and services.

3. Most of the social networking websites like FaceBook, LinkedIn and MySpace offer the option of creating free accounts. Thus, using these websites generally proves to be very beneficial in terms of COST and BUDGET.

4. As you are communicating directly with people who share interests similar to your services/products, you can directly target a specific group of people who might be interested in what you have to offer.

5. Social Media Marketing helps in increasing the popularity of your website through various backlinks which leads to better search engine visibility.
6. As a result of User Generated Sites and Book Marking Sites, people can find your business online more easily than ever.

The most important factor in Social Media Marketing is to keep in touch with your user base and try to be as transparent as you can. Aside from Blogs, Video-Promotions and Photo-Sharing, start delving into micro-blogging services like Twitter & Plurk so that you are able to reach mobile users as well.

And last, but definitely not the least, BE PATIENT! :)

Have any queries, comments, suggestion or want your site to grow with Social Media Marketing? Contact us today!

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Canonicalization – “A basic SEO tenet”

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

(Canoni-cali-zation) – Matt Cutts refers to it as the process of picking the best URL when there are several choices, and it usually refers to home pages.

We come across websites with both www and non www versions of its URLS.

  • www.yourwebsite.com
  • yourwebsite.com/
  • www.yourwebsite.com/index.html
  • yourwebsite.com/home.asp

Most people would consider these the same URL but technically, all of these are different.  Matt, in his post on SEO advice: URL canonicalization, explains that a web server could return completely different content for all the URLs listed above.

If you have duplicate content on multiple webpages of your site, this can cause problems for search engines – specifically in determining which URL should be shown in the  search results. Canonical URL comes to rescue in such a scenario:

•    Canonicalization becomes helpful as it takes the duplicate pages and uses a 301 re-direct to point all versions to a single, “canonical” version of the content or web page.

•    Google recommends that you pick a “canonical URL”as the preferred version of the page. You can indicate your preference to Google in a number of ways. Google recommends them all (if you don’t indicate a canonical URL, Google will identify what it thinks is the best version).

What to do to make sure Google picks up the URL that you want it to pick:

•    You can choose a preferred URL and use it consistently across your entire site. For example, don’t make half of your links go to http://example.com/ and the other half go to http://www.example.com/. Instead, pick the URL you prefer and always use that format for your internal links. If your site has duplicate content on multiple pages, there is a high possibility this could affect your search engine ranking results. For example – the link information could get diluted in a case where few incoming links may point to one version of the URL and few links to another.

•    Matt further adds that if you want your default URL to be http://www.example.com/. You can make your webserver in a way so that if someone requests http://example.com/, it does a 301 (permanent) redirect to http://www.example.com/. Doing this will help Google know which URL you prefer to be canonical. If you have a site that changes often, for example you have dynamic content on site, a blog, etc. then adding a 301 redirect can be very useful.

Using the URL removal tool to remove domain.com –

If you remove one of the www vs. non-www hostnames, you can end up removing your whole domain for six months. You need to do a reinclusion request if URL removal tool removes your entire domain when you actually only wanted to remove the www or non-www version of your domain. A reinclusion request refers to mentioning that you removed your entire domain by accident using the URL removal tool and that you’d like it reincluded.

For more information on 301 re-directs see http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/seo-advice-URL-canonicalization/

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Google’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Google comes up with this useful compact guide that lists some of of the best practices that could benefit a website by improving site’s crawlability and indexing. Working on following areas of your website can bring about a tremendous change and improve the crawling and indexing stats.

Following is the summary of Google’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

1. Search engine optimization is often about making small modifications to parts of the website and SEO affects only organic search results, not paid or “sponsored” results.

2. Create unique, accurate page titles.

Good practices for page title tags:

(a) Accurately describe the page’s content
(b) Create unique title tags for each page
(c) Use brief, explanatory titles

3. Make use of the “description” meta tag

Good practices for description meta tags:

(a) Accurately summarize the page’s content
(b) Use unique descriptions for each page

4. Improve the structure of your URLs.

Good practices for URL structure:

(a) Use words in URLs
(b) Create a simple directory structure
(c) Provide one version of a URL to reach a document

5. Make your site easier to navigate.

Good practices for site navigation:

(a) Create a naturally flowing hierarchy
(b) Use mostly text for navigation
(c) Use “breadcrumb” navigation
(d) Put an HTML sitemap page on your site, and use an XML Sitemap file
(e) Consider what happens when a user removes part of your URL
(f) Have a useful 404 page

6. Offer quality content and services.

Good practices for content:

(a) Write easy-to-read text
(b) Stay organized around the topic
(c) Use relevant language
(d) Create fresh, unique content
(e) Offer exclusive content or services
(d) Create content primarily for your users, not search engines

7. Write better anchor text.

Good practices for anchor text:

(a) Choose descriptive text
(b) Write concise text
(c) Format links so they’re easy to spot
(d) Think about anchor text for internal links too

8. Use heading tags appropriately

Good practices for heading tags:

(a) Imagine you’re writing an outline
(b) Use headings sparingly across the page

9. Optimize your use of images

Good practices for images:

(a) Use brief, but descriptive filenames and alt text
(b) Supply alt text when using images as links
(c) Store images in a directory of their own
(d) Use commonly supported filetypes

10. Make effective use of robots.txt

Good practices for robots.txt:

(a) Use more secure methods for sensitive content

11. Be aware of rel=”nofollow” for links

12. Promote your website in the right ways

Good practices for promoting your website:

(a) Blog about new content or services
(b) Don’t forget about offline promotion
(c) Know about social media sites
(d) Add your business to Google’s Local Business Center
(e) Reach out to those in your site’s related community

13. Make use of free webmaster tools

14. Take advantage of web analytics services

Google also offers helpful resources for the webmasters with its help forum, central blog, tools , guidelines etc. Check out the complete Google’s SEO Starter Guide.

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New Website Design launched by Cue Blocks Technologies

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Cue Blocks Technologies a Web Design, Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Marketing firm, recently unveiled its new and improved website. The newly designed website can be reached at – http://www.CueBlocks.com

Announcing the launch of the website, Pancham Prashar, President Sales & Marketing said, “Our new website design is more indicative of the current range of services we offer to our clients. Since we mostly do business with companies based abroad, primarily in Unites States, Ireland and United Kingdom, we wanted to make good use of pictures on our new site and allow people to virtually see our team here. I feel we have manged to accomplish that fairly well in the new design”.

The Web Design, Development and Internet Marketing (SEM and SMM) Company has its main office in Chandigarh, India and deals with clients from different corners of the world. The company has over 25 team members who have a collective experience of over 2000 Internet Marketing and Web Designing projects.

Sarthak Aggarwal, President Products and Services, who coordinated the website design effort with his team, further added, “Our focus in the new design has been simplicity as well as uniqueness of design. Usually people have very little attention span while they are browsing the web – and the initial few seconds are vital. We wanted to showcase the various aspects of CueBlocks in such a manner that they catch attention early on. We have text intensive pages as well inside in the form of articles, service pages and blog posts. In addition, new features and sections will keep getting added to the site as we move along”.

Currently touring United States for business development, Pancham and Sarthak indicated that CueBlocks has extensive plans of expanding its client base in the States.

The site is live at – http://www.CueBlocks.com

About CueBlocks Technologies:

CueBlocks Technologies is a Web Development and Online Marketing firm – specializing in Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Marketing. Formed in 2005, the company offers its services to a global audience and has a team of over 25 designing, programming and Internet Marketing specialists. CueBlocks is a member of Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Contact Information:

Pancham Prashar
Cue Blocks Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
SCO 822, 2nd Floor,
NAC ManiMajra
Chandigarh – 160101
India
US Toll Free – 1-866-
Email: sales@cueblocks.com
Site: http://www.cueblocks.com
Blog: http://www.cueblocks.com/blog
###

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Tips on How Not to Get Hired!

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Yup! You read it right!

There has been a lot said and done on how to make an impression for an upcoming interview….with hundreds of websites, books and articles that talk about thousand other ways to get through the interview process. I decided to do things a little differently and give out tips on HOW NOT TO GET HIRED!!

Sending the cover letter?? Make sure you sound too desperate for a change in job and that your world would come to an end if they didn’t hire you.

Have a great academic back ground?? Go on, boast about it. If you don’t have one- Tell them you have been too busy thinking what went wrong that you didn’t have a great academic background!!

Professional work experience – Did you work for the giants in the industry?? Did you get multiple incentives?? Promotions?? Fill the pages of your cover letter and let the hiring manager know you are the BEST EVER!!
If not, tell the prospective employer that you have just been waiting for an opportunity with them and you are sure that the wait has been worth it!!

Ok, now that your CV is ready and the cover letter has been taken care of, make sure you cc it, not bcc, cc, to multiple companies. Wait a few minutes and resend, just to make sure the employer gets it if they missed the first one.

Wait till the evening, then send an email or call and ask if the employer received your profile.

Ask them if your interview has been scheduled already ??

If you don’t receive a reply drop in to the office (of course, if the employer location is local!), and let them know you were expecting a reply. There is a high possibility they will take the initial screening interview then and there. If not, don’t forget to leave your visiting card at the front office!

What to do if your luck outshines and you get a call for the interview: [wow! :) ]

1.    Do not wish to apply for a leave at your current workplace? Ask the prospective employer to reschedule the interview as you will be out of station on a business trip, or better is to call one hour prior to the interview and tell the hiring manager that you are unwell and can’t make it to the interview. You also have the option to not inform your unavailability for the interview at all and walk in to their office the day you feel is the perfect day for you to get interviewed.

2.    Be an hour late. Tell them you were stuck in a traffic jam. Your meeting with them is important and they should value it, even if you are late by an hour!

3.    When asked for a self introduction – tell them about you mother, father, their jobs, your siblings, your residence, your native place etc., etc.

4.    When asked about your abilities, make sure you tell them that you don’t like to be self pompous!

5.    Make sure you settle the salary and other benefits that the prospective employer wishes to offer you against your services before the clichéd line that all hiring resource persons love to say when they wish to discontinue the interview “THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU!!”

6.    Be bold to ask them the time they require to get back to you, make sure you ask them to recheck the contact numbers on your cv.

Now sit back, relax and wait for your offer letter!! Or not…after all here we are telling you about how not to get hired!

Ok on a serious note, these are not anecdotes, these are just a few faux pases that we came across at the time of hiring. I am sure if you focus on these more than getting confused with the thousand other answers to how to cakewalk the interview…it will be a sure shot hit!! If not, at least you know what you can afford to avoid.

Looking for a change in your current job? You either have strong reasons to support your decision for the change or you are just trying your luck. Well, if its scenario one, there will certainly be some amount of seriousness involved… let’s start with the cover letter, are you sure your cover letter speaks what you intend to tell the prospective hiring person?? Be specific with details and your intention of approaching the XYZ employer.

Don’t sound desperate for a change in job. Let your CV speak of your credentials and work experience. Pushing too many bold statements and reasons why should you be considered is still a highly debatable issue, it is safe to be genuine and only highlight your unique abilities and achievements in support of the position that you are applying for. AVOID using statements like I am the best !! Let the prospective hiring person take care of the decision whether to consider the application or not!!

Nervousness associated with meeting the prospective employer is understood. One small tip – go on and just be your self!

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World Environment Day – Do Your Bit!

Friday, June 5th, 2009
World Environment Day

World Environment Day

Today is world environment day and the theme for WED 2009 is ‘Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change’.

We can’t really take care of everything in one single day, but if we all come together and make a couple of small changes, we can make a big difference in the long run! So, let’s do our bit and go GREEN!!

Check out the following link. Lets awaken ourselves. The planet needs us!

http://www.eonecon.org/pdf/green-sheet.pdf

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A Pleasure-filled Diwali at Cueblocks

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

CueBlocks celebrated Diwali with great fervor and joy. The brightness, sweets and excitement of the day, made all of us at CueBlocks rejoice in the high spirits of the festival of Light. We at CueBlocks love to celebrate even smallest of accomplishments, individually and as a team. So this Diwali we found yet another reason for arranging a small get together at our work place.

Cue Team in high spirits
Cue Team in high spirits

To live up to the spirit of the festival, we decided to take up the challenge of adding colors to our immaculately  clean white interiors of our office. Aman managed to put her creativity to use, as she worked her way with the flowers and came up with a simple yet very pretty design for Rangoli and believe me the Rangoli had made all the difference in brightening up the workplace.

Without any pomp and show or extravaganza,  Diwali at CueBlocks was  simple, warm and a memorable affair..  The evening was full of small surprises that added a great charm to the festive spirit. We kicked off the evening with some great French wine and lots and lots of good food to go along with the wine. Our wine sipping session gave us all an opportunity to discuss new developments in life, on the personal as well as the professional front.

WineGlory- Opening up to celebration !!
WineGlory- Opening up to celebration

To add to these great moments came along our Diwali gifts from CueBlocks. They were small candy-like blocks wrapped in environment friendly gift wrappers which kept most of us guessing !! After a lot of unsuccessful guesswork, we opened our presents and Voila, Ipods they were! Stunning, Apple Ipods in different colors! Our day was surely made, thanks to Cueblocks.

Cue Team- Cheers!!!
Cue Team- Cheers!!!

This was the best Diwali gift ever, now all the CueBlocks members have their personal ipods. Exulting and cheerful faces all around made this small get together a great and a unforgettable evening for years to come.  With all these jubilant moments we thoroughly experienced and felt the true emotion and soul behind celebrating Diwali, symbolizing the age-old culture of our country which teaches us to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge.

It also taught us the lesson of commonality and togetherness. We also realized the value of blessings and how they influence our lives. Wishing Cueblocks an unprecedented glory and success, we ended the Diwali celebrations only to begin living them throughout the following year!

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