Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) was released for public download on March 14th, 2011. Since IE9 is a default browser on Microsoft Operating Systems, this new release will prompt existing PC users to upgrade.

How does this affect my website?

Throughout the evolution of the web, most web browsers have displayed websites slightly different. Although most browsers these days display very similar, sometimes certain aspects of a website won’t work with certain web browsers. Anytime a new or popular browser is released or updated, It is a good idea to review your site in detail for minor presentational or functionality issues. This should be done anytime a new browser with a significant user base is updated, yet most of the time you won’t have any issues.

Whats the big deal about Internet Explorer?

Internet Explorer(IE) as a web browser has had a rocky past, IE6 was notorious for displaying websites incorrectly when all other browsers had little to no problems. Microsoft has even started a website to countdown till IE6 is no longer in use. As a precaution, whenever Microsoft releases a new version of IE, we try to ensure that businesses are informed of its potential for issues. Businesses of all sizes should be concerned with this update. For the majority of businesses, their website is their main presence online, and it is important to display a consistent (and functioning) website to your prospective clients.

What browsers do most people use?

As of March 2011 the number 1 browser is Firefox, followed by Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. You can view current browser usage statistics and much more online at W3 Schools.

With the release of IE9, we are very pleased to see that Microsoft is catching up to provide a comparable browser to Firefox and Google Chrome, offering very similar performance and rendering intent to other popular contemporary browsers.

Want to ensure your website is compatible on all browsers?

If you want to be thorough and ensure your company branding you can hire a web developer to do a cross browser compatibility check or download some of the popular browsers and check it out yourself. If you notice any issues on your site you can send us an email at info@bluelotuscreative.com and we can look into the source.

Unless your name is @KimKardashian, @BarackObama or @ladygaga, getting people to follow you on the popular social networking site can be a little tricky. Most importantly, you should have something profound, funny, interesting, and just plain worthwhile to say. BUT there are a host of other small tips that can turn your Twitter account in a buzzing hive of activity.

1. If you’re having trouble coming up with what to tweet about, choose your passions. Chances are, there’s a whole massive population of random people who love what you love. Make sure that your tweets are marked with hashtag organizers (insert a #bmx at the end of tweet about BMX bikes and so on) and a community will find you. Learn more about hashtags here.

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Facebook fan pages have become a essential component to spreading your message, brand or product to more people, efficiently, cheaper and easier on the world’s largest social network. But as more and more people start to utilize Facebook to help promote their businesses, standing apart from your competition becomes increasingly important.

By default, once you have created a Facebook fan page, when users come to your fan page they see the news feed from your wall. Luckily, Facebook has made it possible to create a custom fan page, directing new users and fans to these custom “tabs” instead of your news feed.

Custom Facebook fan pages accelerate your success growing your business or selling your product.

1. Create a branded identity on the social web

The key is to create a customized page for users who have never seen your fan page before.
When they arrive, want to greet them with a message, welcome them, and introduce them to your brand. Aside from that, the goal here is to give them a reason to click the “Like” button. Your branded message of text, images, and other media will be the first thing they see, so it is essential that it be engaging and consistent with your current brand identity. Custom fan pages can be as simple as an basic image with a link, or as complex as a mini version of your main website.

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How to get a higher website conversion rate by simplifying your design

Everyone knows how websites allow people to connect around the world and help spread information and news instantly. It is also great for finding tons of useful information on all sorts of topics…

How often does this happen to you?;

You end up on a site after clicking a link from a Google search, and you quickly find yourself lost in a design that pulls your attention in all directions! Now you are lost in a sea of ads, in a website that wasn’t designed with YOU (the customer) in mind. You soon find your mouse creeping towards the back button as your hopes of finding that information fades. As you return to Google you sincerely hope the next search result brings you better luck.

You click on the next link in the search engine results and are brought to a wonderful site with a simple logo and a quick tag line stating “We have large amounts of information on your information..”.

As your hope rises your eyes naturally get drawn down to the a heading and a wonderful image that embodies the information you were seeking. Your attention is fixed on this paragraph and the rest of the site fades away, and as you start to read the first paragraph you quickly find the information you required.

You are now a happy camper, thank to an intuitive design. The design of the website helped lead you to the information you required. The site was unique and beautiful enough that you wont forget it, and if you get the chance you would more than likely share this quality customer experience with your friends. Read the rest of this entry »

What is Social Media?

The best way to define social media is to break it down. Media is an instrument of communication, like a newspaper or a radio, so social media would be a social instrument of communication.

In Web 2.0 terms, this would be a website that doesn’t just give you information, but interacts with you while giving you that information. This interaction can be as simple as asking for your comments or letting you vote on an article, or it can be as complex as Flixster recommending movies to you based on the ratings of other people with similar interests.

Think of regular media as a one-way street where you can read a newspaper or listen to a report on television, but you have very limited ability to give your thoughts on the matter.

Social media, on the other hand, is a two-way street that gives you the ability to communicate too. Read the rest of this entry »