I don’t mind updates, but this one forced me to complain a bit.

As a pretty consistent blogger, I frequently will take pictures of sections of a website with an Add-On called Screengrabber. Screengrabber would allow me to simply copy a section of a page, copy the entire viewable page, or copy the entire screen and then paste it in an email to share with my team.

It would also allow me to save those same images to my desktop easily for future blogging pleasure.

The point is, most, if not all, of my blog posts that show images of how-to posts, step by step guides, or “check this out” ideas, were created thanks to Screengrabber.

Until today.

Due to the Firefox 8.0 upgrade, there are quite a few Firefox Add-on’s I’m used to using that are not compatible.

Of course, Firefox has it’s reason for updating:

A Firefox software update is a quick download of small amounts of new code to your existing Firefox browser. These small patches can contain security fixes or other little changes to the browser to ensure that you are using the best version of Firefox available.

Firefox is constantly evolving as our community finds ways to make it better, and as we adjust to the latest security threats. Keeping your Firefox up-to-date is the best way to make sure that you are using the smartest, fastest and – most importantly – safest version of Firefox available.

Will the update effect my settings and bookmarks?

No. A Firefox update will not make any changes to your bookmarks, saved passwords or other settings. However, there is a possibility that some of your Add-ons won’t be immediately compatible with new updates. (bold and italics added for emphasis)

So, I found a new tool that actually might even be better. It’s called Aviary.

Here’s a screen shot I took while playing around.

Not only does the tool allow me to take a picture of a section of a screen, but it also gives me the following options:

• Capture the visible portion of the page
• Capture the entire page
• And BEST OF ALL, EDIT the image on the fly!

That’s right, I can now avoid wasting lots of time opening Photoshop or Illustrator and trying to figure out how to make my image “talk” to people.

The above image took me about 3 minutes, and I wouldn’t call myself a “professional graphic artist” by any means.

Here are some of the other Add-On’s I currently can’t use with Firefox 8.0:

The Google Toolbar and Firebug were also Add-ons I was disappointed to not have access to, although the Toolbar has been non-compatible for a few updates. The hope is that these Add-ons will recognize the updates and become compatible shortly, but I’m not holding my breath…

What are your thoughts on the new Firefox Updates?

Too many?

Not enough?

Don’t care?

Nate Moller works with businesses who want to improve their online business. For over six years, he’s worked with thousands of companies who are looking for answers in their online marketing journey. Follow Nate on Twitter and become a fan of Moller Marketing on Facebook!

How will Google Adwords +1 Button change Internet Marketing? Does it affect PPC? Will it help or hurt CRO? Can it really increase CTR? What’s the Math?

In a recent email from Google Adwords was the following notification:

In the coming weeks, your search results and ads on Google will include a +1 button, which users can click to recommend your ads. You don’t need to make any changes to your account in order to take advantage of them. The final landing page URL of your ads can also appear on the Google profile of any user who +1’s your ad.

That time has arrived.

What this means is that now when your ad receives a +1, Google notes its final landing page URL. When the same URL appears in an organic search listing, the organic listing will include the same personal annotations as would an ad. The ad button also works both ways. Therefore, if a user +1′s one of your organic listings, then the ads Google resolves to with the same final landing page URL will include the same personal annotations. The idea is that this will increase the chance of your ads getting noticed. In theory this will also increase your CTR.

_

Google Question and Answers:

per a Google Adwords Representative

Will a +1 click/vote through a Google Ad cost the advertiser anything?

You will still be charged per click on your ad the same as always — a plus 1 does not count as a click.

Awesome. Adsense +1′s don’t cost extra for the advertiser.

Does this work for  Google Boost Ads as well?

“Yes.

And… Yes. I concur.

Does the +1 affect Adwords Quality Score?

Google Reps response:

+1′s (whatever their source — organic search, ads, or +1 buttons on publisher sites) are a signal that affects organic search ranking, but +1′s do not change quality scores for ads and ad ranking. By adding +1 buttons to your pages, you give your visitors more chances to +1 your content, resulting in additional +1 annotations on Google search results and search ads. Studies have shown that customers turn to advice from people they trust when making purchase decisions, so more +1 annotations could lead to more, and better qualified traffic coming to your site from Google search.

The way we measure Quality Score for your ads has not changed. We continue to use historical AdWords performance information, clickthrough rate (CTR), and other signals to calculate your Ad Rank and cost-per-click (CPC). That being said, if personal annotations from +1′s on your search results, search ads, or website increase the CTR on your ads, your Quality Score is likely to improve as well.

-

So the +1 button does not directly change quality score, but could indirectly change quality score by increasing the Click Through Rate (CTR). This is a good thing for companies that foster customer relations and customer service. Having a higher CTR, increasing quality score, and then saving on the cost-per-click (CPC) means a better ROI for the business. This also turns out to be a better user experience for Google users because they finding those quality companies. This is a win-win-win scenario.

The Problem Pests

The first step in this equation looks pretty good, but this math problem has a few pest issues. ….LANDING PAGES.

We have landing pages for our Google PPC campaign to track our PPC and they are “NoIndex” pages. How will this benefit or hurt us?

In your case, if you have a different landing page for Google PPC, any +1 to your PPC ad won’t also show on your organic listing- but would  +still show on the ad. If you put a +1 button on your Google PPC page and someone +1′s it, then when someone in their network sees your ad, they will see the annotation below it.

Hmmm, that doesn’t sound so good.  Would an Extreme Canonical Trick help?

+1s are tagged currently at the URL level. So, if you have a landing +page just for Google PPC, then if someone +1s that ad, you will only see the +1 annotations below that ad and not on the organic link. If the same URL is used for both PPC and Organic listings, then any +1s to that URL (whether on the landing page itself, on the ad, or the organic link) will show up for all links to that page.

While I am sure that there a few geniuses out there that have this problem already solved the rest of us like to create separate landing pages to track Google Adwords, and to improve conversion rates. Optimization of landing pages was one of the benefits that Google Pay Per clicks offered without the hassles of including SEO. Many search engine marketers (SEMs) enjoyed the flexibility of design available within the safe haven of pay per clicks. Because search engine rules demand webmasters show the search bot spiders and the human users the same page, this +1 adwords creation is going to bite into landing page and conversion rate optimization. This seems to be more than a little problem, in my professional pest control opinion, this is an infestation waiting to explode!

Gaming the +1s to increase CTR?

Per some spammy emails  you can buy Google +1s, doesn’t this open up a new black market?

According to Googler Fredrick Vallaeys, “No, Google +1 only influences your circle of friends/connections.”

Don’t mind me, Just a pest control guy… and that is the Search Pest Report.

-Thomas Ballantyne
Director of Marketing for Bulwark Exterminating
Follow me on Twitter —> @Thos003

How is it Promoted?

• Email to Subscribers
• Google shopper app.
• Google network

Businesses can Limit the offer:

• Limit how many offers sold
• Limit Redeemable by date
• Limit on Areas Serviced*
• Limit Uses Per Customer

*important for pest control guys

Offer runs for a 24 hour window.

http://google.com/offers

The primary way they will promote the offer is via emails to subscribers. Email, according to social media studies, is still the most used social media vehicle. (*CMB Consumer Pulse 2010 ) If the local business makes the offer juicy enough then the business can anticipate that coupon lovers will forward the deal out to their friends and family. This method is ideal for local businesses as the consumers are spreading it by digital word of mouth and are pre-qualifying the target audience for the local business.

It is important to note that Google Offers does not appear to be promoted anywhere in search results for that local business. The offer does not even show on the advertiser’s place page. So promotion through the “Google network” remains unclear and may or may not include content network ads.

Google Offers  is indeed very similar, almost duplicate content similar, to Groupon. And rumor has it that a Google Offers Manager left Google to go to Groupon. So the rivalry between the two is even more heated. And one extra juicy tip, Groupon Reviews show up on local search in the business Google Places Page. Google has not stated that they will be soliciting reviews from new customers aquired through Offers. Local businesses that use Google Offers should note that customers that come through the Offers deal will be using Google checkout. Which means Google is sharing their valuable users with you.

Business Splits Deal with Google

Similar to Groupon, the advertiser’s deal must be approved, which means a 50% to 60% discount on services or products. According to Googler Rep based in Logan Utah, Google takes a chunk of that money upon check out. The advantage for businesses is advertising that is producing quantifiable results. If it does not produce a buyer then there is no cost to the advertiser. The business only takes a hit on profits to get people through the door. It is very similar to giving away free samples in the hopes that the consumer will buy more, and more, again and again. In fact, the Offers outbound call center is targeting local businesses with positive online reviews hoping those businesses will understand the value of retaining a customer.

Bonuses for Local Businesses

How would you like to be a business with a 360 degree view of the interior of your shop? Yes, the Google Offers team is making it happen. Check it out now: Look inside

Google 360 Interior Images now showing in Offers.

Google 360 image in offers, and bonus they upload the images to your Google Places page. Although they are not uploading the 360 to place pages yet. Check out the photos section on the Sultan Cafe’s Place Page The photo author is Google. It was sometime ago when rumors of Google taking interior photos began. In order to jump in line for the interior photos you’ll have to test the Google Offers. If you want more info then you can watch the Google Offers for Business Promo Video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQFDRaKvcvQ

Where is Google Offers headed Next?

(Per their drop down menu)
• NYC Downtown
• NYC Midtown
• NYC Uptown
• Oakland / East Bay
• San Francisco

Beyond that the public doesn’t know where or when Google offers will hit next. Again, rumor has it that due to the manager leaving Google the future locations and launch dates of those locations is very tight lipped. Hopefully Austin, San Antonio, and Houston will hit before the summer pest control season is out. Then Bulwark Exterminating can really dig in and see how successful a Google Offer campaign can be.

YouTube Video Preview in Google Search

Google update: Youtube gets video previews in Google’s Universal Search.

Google recently added the website previews. Now Google is adding video previews. Not all video results are getting this preview. Those that do get previews include Youtube videos, 5min.com and Discovery videos. But sites like MetaCafe.com, videojug.com, and break.com, while still being found in the video section, are not getting the 4 framed previews.

Video Previews and Click Through Rates

The four framed previews actually show 5 second clips of the video. For the Superbowl commercial of the StarWars kid you can get a quick jest of the short commercial. But for the short 30 second video of Rene Higuita and the Scorpion kick (AWESOME VIDEO) you might get most of the clip, but sports move so fast that you may want to click through and see the whole thing. Ultimately the video preview might be enough to satisfy or enough of a taste to leave you wanting more. And careful, these videos do have sound enabled. Sound could be bad, as it is often a discouragement on websites. You can turn it off by clicking on the speaker, which I did as to not annoy my office.

4 Frame Divide

What we have not established is how Google is dividing up these videos. My initial thought was that they were breaking up by the video’s “Hot Spots”, which would be awesome.  Youtube insights will give you video hot spots. Getting previews of hot spots would help CTR. So I went to a video that has hot spots and with which I am familiar. Scorpion Myth Video AZIMA- Does alcohol make scorpion sting itself to death?

Ignore the guy in the scorpion pest control video.

Yes, please ignore the silly scorpion pest control video.

Liquor is not an effective scorpion control method…. it doesn’t kill em.

But… Not the case. It is not hot spots. The videos are not broken up by hot spots. After studying these more in depth, the video breaks seem to be in a range based on the length of the video. All the first frames hit about 4 to 5 seconds into the video. On 4 minute videos the second frame is about 1 minute, usually over a minute but on occasion under a minute. Below you will find the exact percentages, the range is pretty consistent at about 25% intervals. It may be swayed slightly on scene changes. It may be based all three, scene change, time frame, and hot spot. This will take some additional research and some more insights. Any additional info would be appreciated. But overall it falls tightly at the 25% intervals.

Rock me like a Hurricane… These video previews are cool.

Announcement:

Retiring the position preference setting

In early May, we’ll be removing the option to set position preferences. Learn more about what this means for your campaigns.

Local search marketing may be in it’s infancy for Google, but this baby is booming. In two short years they have grown through a 10-pack, to a 7-pack, to a mixed local and organic result. They have further added a revenue stream with Google Sponsored tags (Yellow tags) and most recently they added Google Boost. Google boost has been active for about 6 months now, so time for a review of the latest GEO/Local adverting package from Google. To Boost but not to boast.

What is Google Boost?

Google boost is a new pay per click (PPC) advertising push from Google that is being promoted through Google Places. This ad is unique in it’s style from other PPC ads because it features a blue pin drop and is only offered to local businesses that have a local physical office.

The Blue Pin drop is a Google Boost Ad but this shows a Truly Nolen location w/ no reviews

Google Boost with Sponsored Tag and pest control reviews

The Pros to Google Boost

Pro #1 – Location, Location, Location

One of the key P’s to any marketing strategy is the “Place”.  Clearly there is  a certain appeal to doing business with a company that feels like a neighbor. Having a blue pin drop on a familiar local map adds a nice warm fuzzy to the consumer. Plus they are now supporting the local economy. So the new ad layout is fantastic.  I am drooling over the simplicity. Plus the clear message that says, “Do Business with your Local Pest Control Guy. Good’ole hometown heroes.”

Pro #2 – 5 Star Reviews

The best comeback in any sporting event when the fans start cheering, “We’ve got spirit yes we do” is “we’ve got more check the score!” The reviews make this Google Boost the cream of the crop pay-per-click option, if you have the reviews to boast about your company. But honestly, no one simply believes all the pretty text you have on your website promoting your service.  Your website will never tell the customer what potential problems they could face. Reviews on the other hand are raw and real. The bad reviews show your company weaknesses, which is okay, because every company has some problems. But, the overall rating is the real punch. If your ration of good to bad reviews is good then those little yellow stars become a Gold Star min.

Pro #3 – Phone Number

I must admit that having a phone number included on the ad could potentially get an advertiser phone calls that they are not directly paying for.  This is a pretty hefty bonus buy which could make or break the value of the Google Boost program.

Pro #4 – Easy to set up and runs automatically.

When you log into your Google places you will see convenient link  Create Boost ad Click on it and you will come to a very simple fill out forum like this one:

Set-UP From Google Places

Hit Continue. Read some legal jargon on the next page,  agree to pay, and you are on your way to a hassle free automatic Pay per click system. For the average business owner, this system could work well. There will be no overhead for a PPC management firm. There is nothing more to do. Just sit back, relax, and let the leads roll in. I mean… “Pay only for success You only pay when potential customers click on your ad.” http://places.google.com/boost Sarcasm aside, this may truly be a benefit for a busy business owner.

The Pests/Cons to Google Boost

Having test driven the new Google boost system for a couple of months now, I have come across a few bugs.  Yes, I am pest control guy so bare with the pest/con switch-a-roo.

Pest # 1 – Automatic Keyword Selection

Hmmm… This poses several problems, some of which could be monumental depending on your “Category”. Specifically, with pest control there are several different types of pests an exterminator may or may not control. Pests, like rats, snakes, pigeons, require different treatment options that not all pest control companies will offer. More specifically, as of late, bed bugs have become a huge concern, and not all pest control services treat for bed bugs.  Further, some of these pests, like termites, require specific licensing. Potentially moving Google boost advertisers into a red zone for violating state laws.

Google does offer an option to “Provide feedback on these keywords”, but I’ve yet to get any feedback on the feedback that I provided. And some of those terms, “Bulwark Exterminating”,  are still showing in my keywords. (Sorry, but if they are requesting my company by name then I have already done my marketing job and paying for that click is money wasted.) So there is no way to exclude keywords from your campaign. In my professional opinion this is a HUGE PEST PROBLEM.

Pest #2 – Automatic Bidding

So let’s hand over the hen house keys  to the fox. Do some simple math of the numbers they lay out in the sign up and here are the numbers from the ranges they outlined above:

Granted Google Boost didn’t max out the cost per click in my campaign. But those prices per click are much MUCH higher than our adsense average. Those are premium prices, and from that list of keywords above, not all of those keywords are premium competitors. And if these Google Boost ads work in conjunction with the other adsense ads then Google has it’s own horse in the bidding races effectively raising the prices on all other pest control clicks. But hey, at least I don’t have to worry about Quality Score anymore.

Pest #3 – Lack of information.

Despite the link at the top that suggests you can dig deeper if you’d like, that link for More Details takes you to a support page. So there are no lists of additional keywords they are bidding on. And if you want to calculate the click through rates of your ads you will have to do it manually. The math for numbers above, CTR=0.5%.  If you want that CTR to improve you will need to log and monitor your own dates of changes made to the ad.

Pest #4 – Tracking

The advertiser cannot insert a call tracking number. The advertiser cannot even insert a custom landing page. So all the advertiser is left with is their Google Analytics. Yes they do provide a report under adwords specific to Google Boost. Although they named it: Places Ads_2g55663ebe1687_1. We will assume it’s one in the same. But left only with this as a measuring stick the numbers are not looking too good. Average time on site is lower than the Adwords average time on site. Although page views are up… probably because they are having to search for the information they want.

Google Boost Review

To sum it up. Google Boost has the makings to be the cream of the crop for local advertising. The Boost ad is simple, sleek, and powerful for those companies that provide quality local services. But can the added style and design compensate for the lack of control? Do the Pros really out weigh the Cons? Do you really want the fox guarding the hen house? Theses few cons may bug  internet marketers to the point that Google Boost isn’t anything to boast about.

Raven Tools

Yesterday, Raven Tools launched the second edition of their online scavenger hunt, RavenHunt. Once again they have some awesome prizes up for grabs: an Apple iPad, 1 year Pro subscription to Raven, books by Tamar Weinberg and Avinash Kaushik, a Search Engine Land premium membership AND RavenHunt t-shirts!

Participation is easy. Each day you are given riddles that you’ll need to solve in order to find clues that contain secret letters. Keep track of all of the secret letters you find, because at the end of the week you’ll need to unscramble them to form a secret word/phrase. The contest started yesterday, but you can join in at any time. The riddles and clues stay up throughout the contest, and are posted on the Raven Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The contest ends sometime Friday afternoon, so get playing! Last month we had the opportunity to be one of the blogs participating in RavenHunt (we had a clue hidden right here on the DSM blog).

Can you catch the Raven?

Along with everything else that comes with the territory, both Mat and Dave will be speaking this year.  Here are the details and I suggest you don’t miss these sessions as they could change your life forever!

Wednesday Nov. 11 @ 2:55 pm
Interactive Site Reviews: Focus on Brand and Social Reputation Management
Location: Salon F

Reputation management is becoming more central to website marketing responsibilities. Whether you currently have reputation management issues to deal with, or you want to be proactive and keep reputation issues at bay, this session will teach you a lot. Want to have your own site reviewed live?

Give your business card to the moderator or any panelist at the beginning of the session.

Speakers:

Brian Chappell, Sr. Social Search Strategist, Ignite Social Media
Giovanni Gallucci, Social Media Ninja
Matt Siltala, Owner/Chief Media Officer, Dream Systems Media
Jennifer Laycock, Director of Marketing/Editor, SiteLogic/Search Engine Guide

Thursday Nov. 12 @ 1:30 pm
Competitive Intelligence: Know Thy Competitor Well
Location: Salon C

Competitive research is important in any business, so that you know what you’re up against. Competitive research online can reveal a wealth of valuable intelligence about not only your competition, but also the need-to-know activity in your industry. Learn all about the tools our experts use and the richness of the data they are able to collect.

Speakers:

Michael Gray, President, Atlas Web Service
Michael Streko, Co-Founder / CEO, KnowEm LLC
Matt Siltala, Owner/Chief Media Officer, Dream Systems Media
Andy Beal, Internet Marketing Consultant, Marketing Pilgrim LLC

Thursday Nov. 12 @ 2:55 pm
Domain Names and Trademarks: Legal Issues
Location: Salon C

Trademarks, domain names, and click fraud are legal issues related to search engine marketing that marketers need to be aware of. This panel will look at the current state of trademarks, click fraud, and some privacy issues related to search engine marketing.

Speakers:

Deborah Wilcox, Partner, Baker & Hostetler LLP
Clarke Walton, Founder, Walton Law Firm
David Mink, Co-Owner/Chief Legal Counsel, Dream Systems Media
Steve O’Brien, VP, Sales & Marketing, Click Forensics

Now you know where we’ll be for sure at those times and we hope to see you there too!

Thumbs Down to bad business!

You know, I am no longer amazed at the number of off line businesses going under these days, IMO, I think some probably deserve to be going under and here’s my rant why. They would like to blame it on the bad economy, but in some cases I think they need to take a look internally at their bad business practices involving customer service!

My neighbor went to a Batteries Plus store to get a replacement battery for his PALM iQue 3600 and was told by one clerk (on a Monday) they had it and he could come back on Friday to get it. Me neighbor went in that Friday to pick it up (as told) and ended up chatting with another person that had no clue of what was going on, and only kept asking him if he called in to make sure it had arrived. He told them no because no one told him to etc. He ends up talking to a few more people and then gets told it would be ordered and to call on Monday. He does, and again talks to someone who does not have a clue – but supposedly gets it ordered … again (for the 3rd time). There was so much more to the story then this (annoying stuff) but I think you get the point.

My neighbor is now telling me this story (on Wednesday last week) and he still had not got a battery. I told him, “let me use the “power” of the Internet and some places I know of that sell batteries online. ” My neighbor is not one to do things online (one of those who is still nervous about doing stuff online). The Batteries Plus store was going to charge him over 30 bucks for a replacement battery. I ended up finding him one on Amazon for 1/2 that – $15 total including ship, and get this – he got it on SATURDAY (3 days later – after two weeks of putting up with that store), put it in and it works great.

The funny thing is he called the Batteries Plus store to cancel the other order, and they were like – “What order?” WTF?!??! What an amazing group of idiots running that store! Maybe I will share the store location later, as they could use a lesson in not putting the “cus” in customer service!

Far too often, I see bad business like this happening – businesses not giving a crap about customer service. This battery store lost their business to an online business, and one of the perks for buying off line is supposed to be the chance to interact with people face to face supposedly to receive real customer service.  If the offline businesses are going to stay in business, they must do a better job at customer service or people will just go and find what they are looking for online when they have finally had enough!

Responses on Twitter or Facebook:

Kat – 1000% agree with the premise on this one, Mat – EXACTLY what I was talking about the other day with MS….

SMX West 2009

If you are thinking about attending SMX West, you need to decide soon or pay 200 bucks more tomorrow after midnight.  I have the honor of speaking this year at SMX West on the “tapping into image search” panel with Eric Enge of Stone Temple. There will also be two other speakers – one from Google and one from Yahoo.  The moderator of our session is Matt McGee (Assignment Editor, Search Engine Land)

Here is the official announcement I got in the email today:

The Early Bird Rate for Search Marketing Expo – SMX West ends at midnight tomorrow (Friday, January 9). You save $200 on your All Access ticket by registering now!

Hurry and register and save money!

I have attended several of the SMX conferences (including the first ever in Seattle) as well as SES, Pubcon and other various smaller ones.  SMX is by far the best one I have ever attended, and where I learned the most.  That is why I am so excited to push it so hard!