Digital Marketing News in the Tampa Bay Area and Vestal New York.

Just How Secure is your Information?

Living in the Digital Age

Living in the Digital Age

Discovering what it means to be secure on the net and how to protect our data

 

We are living in the digital age- meaning everything is moving to the web. Think about it- we can now do our banking online, shop for clothes-online, grocery shop and even have the items delivered to our doorstep-online, hold meetings-online… Well, you get the point but just how safe is all of this and do we run the risk of having our personal information compromised by being connected? It’s a scary thought to have tangible items stolen from you, but even more terrifying to think that someone could actually steal your identity and other personal information.

 

Peggy Smedley, editorial director of Connected World magazine says, “In our connected society, data is an inestimable commodity, growing in value both to our economy and those looking to sabotage it, As Americans, many of us believe we have lost control of this data. Well, it’s time to take control away from the bad guys.”  Every part of her statement is true. There’s a high probability that anyone reading this article has been or knows of someone who has been a victim of stolen credit card or personal information from a purchase made over the internet. It’s a scary thing! Of course, the most immediate reaction is stating that you will never make an online purchase again, chances of that are not so likely. So what can be done in an effort to protect our information and personal identification and everything else of ours floating on the web? We enter personal information through websites that claim to be secure, but how do we know just how secure that website is? Professionals and very influential organizations from across the globe will be meeting at the 2015 Connected World Conference where they will form strategies and solutions to help keep us users secure and protected from hackers.  As more and more businesses move to the web, we must take great precautions to keep ourselves and our information safe- That is what we are here for…

Sun Sign Designs specializes in internet security, specifically internal/external system penetration. Studies show that 44% of small business owners have suffered a cyber attack or malware virus of some sort- which leads directly to financial strain on that business. Our highly knowledgeable team identifies any potential threats or attacks and addresses each problem with a long-term solution. We will with your IT representatives to ensure that your business and its information is safe and secure so that you can continue operating and do what you do best. Leave the internet security to us… Stay Sun-Sign- Secure and give us a call today to see how we can help protect your business.

 

 

 

 

Sick of the Scams?

Facebook Cracks down on News Feed SPAM

If you read it on the internet it must be true, right? Wrong. Social media has changed the way we humans communicate- Some ways good, some bad—such as everything else in life. We use social media to connect with old friends and new, to read about and share news stories and in general, to keep up-to-date on what’s happening in the world around us. Well, how do we know if what we are reading is true or false? You cannot ever be certain, but there are networks taking action to help eliminate falsified stories, Facebook is one of them.

 

I think it’s fair to say we all tend to get a little irritated when Facebook continuously changes the structure of their news feed just as we are acclimating to the new one. Well, they are changing it again! This time- we may appreciate the reasoning behind it but you can form your own opinion upon finishing the article. Facebook has announced that they are making adjustments to their news feed in order to cut back on SPAM…that’s right, SPAM! Did you ever start reading a sponsored story on your news feed and think wow, this simply cannot be real? Well, they are putting forth great effort to try and eliminate these fictitious rumors from our feed. Most recently, there was a story posted on many feeds that the iOS8 had the ability to recharge iphones by putting them in the microwave…Interesting. Facebook did their best to clean that predicament up by creating an option to report an untrue post as false- they are choosing to not get rid of it all together but if enough users report the post as false, Facebook’s algorithms will automatically display a message below the post labeling it as a warning to users that the post has been reported as containing false information. Check it out the next time you are scrolling through your feed, you can click to hide the post and then will be prompted to other options on why you are choosing to hide that post. Of course, now the question is what happens when someone simply does not agree with the post and marks it as SPAM even though it’s not necessarily untrue, the user just has a very different opinion? This is an issue Facebook continues to investigate but until then, enjoy your new feed and don’t forget- see something you don’t quite trust, and maybe looks a little unreal…or a lot? Do other users a favor and mark it as SPAM!

 

The ever evolving structure and rules of the various networks we have at our fingertips often leaves users, well… confused. That’s ok! It’s understandable and with networks changing each and every day it’s hard to keep up with all of new features and ways of going out posting. Luckily, the experts at Sunsign Designs specialize in digital marketing and are in the know on all of the latest advances on all of the various networks. Social media can greatly benefit your business, there are truly endless opportunities in using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other networks to help create awareness around your brand- you just have to know how to effectively use each channel. That is where we come in! Our expertise in social media and digital marketing can be of great assistance in building your brand and overall digital presence. Get a hold of us and let us help expand your online reach…the right way!

570-594-4216

 

 

 

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The Mozilla-Yahoo Partnership and what that means for you…

–The Mozilla-Yahoo Partnership and what that means for you…Mozilla-Yahoo-Artwork

When you think of the term “search” in reference to an online search, what is the first word that pops into your head? Yes, probably Google- but with the recent Mozilla-Yahoo partnership this may change the way you, the end user search the web.

Mozilla Firefox accounts for about 10% of the browser market, with Yahoo now being their default search engine, this means a likely increase for Yahoo as well. But, why the switch? Mozilla broke off its nearly one decade partnership with Google to tie the knot with Yahoo- in a recent interview with the CEO of Mozilla, Chris Beard, he says “In evaluating our search partnerships, our primary consideration was to ensure our strategy aligned with our values of choice and independence, and positions us to innovate and advance our mission in ways that best serve our users and the Web.” Mozilla has asked Yahoo as part of their partnership to stand behind their beliefs in the “DO NOT TRACK” feature which privatizes searches for the user. This news is hugely important for all of the users that search via Google as they are well known for their tracking feature and “stalker ads.” Ever noticed when you search a specific store or product via Google, those ads begin popping up every time you search? Well, Mozilla and Yahoo are taking the opposite approach and looking to offer privacy and not track users every step. So, with all of this hype about Mozilla and Yahoo, you might be asking yourself, so what does this mean for me? This means you have a choice!

Of course, Yahoo and Google search results are similar, but it really relies heavily upon personal preference. With evolving search tactics including voice search as well as geographical tie-ins used to keep users within Yahoo or Google’s page it will be interesting to see what is to come of this newly formed partnership and the way we search. You’ll notice if you search for a newly released movie on Google, it not only displays the movie information to the right, but also gives you the times at which its playing at cinemas closest to you. The point being- keep the user within Google instead of redirecting them to another page.

Mozilla is choosing to keep their company values alive while also proving to remain completely independent of Google, their new approach with Yahoo has so far been fairly successful especially with Yahoo’s improved search functionality. Should Google be concerned? Perhaps a little, losing 10% of the market could be fairly impactful on this well known search engine- but only time will tell. So if you’re still wondering, who does this partnership impact the most? The answer is YOU. You have the choice how of you wish to search, do you want to be tracked or do you want private search options?  The choice is yours! If you’re finding that you are unfamiliar with the recent changes or even wondering what this may mean for you as a business and your search rankings and whether or not this will impact where, when and how you are found- let us help you. Sun Sign Designs specializes specifically in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). We understand just how search engines work and what people are searching for. We know the ins and the outs of keywords and choosing ones that will be effective in search engines such as Yahoo, Google or Bing. Call us today! We are ready to help…570-594-4216

 

Seasonal Shopping is Here and it’s Online, Are You?

More than one fifth of holiday shoppers are expected to make their purchases online this season, an increase of 15% over last year*. While this number steadily continues to rise, it also means your website needs to be up-to date and competitive within your market. You need to have and build a steady web presence before your competitors blow you away.

 

An anticipated growth of 33% is expected for next year sales as well, if these numbers hold true, you have the opportunity to make a huge jump in sales for next year, allowing you peace of mind into the future. Who doesn’t want to build their reputation and set themselves up for growth ahead of the rest of the game? Learn to set yourself apart from the rest and please allow us to assist you in getting there.

 

Along with growth, a visible trend in shopping patterns is starting to be established. As online sales grow, the cross traffic of what people are searching for expands, giving retailers a need to offer a larger selection of goods sold. Over the coming years it is expected that the online sales will continue to grow, therefore the need to expand return and exchanges of goods sold after the holidays will increase too. A true ‘easy’ tool and marketing of online returns/exchanges has not been taken advantage of and now is the time to implement and capitalize on this for the future years.

 

We cannot only help you build an excellently designed web site, but we can also ensure that your site and payment processes are always protected. In addition and most importantly we can made sure you site is visible and highly ranked so that you are easily found when consumers are trying to find your goods or services. Push your business for further growth and allow us the opportunity to take the steps with you to further your companies success. Any member of our team would be more than happy to assist you, please send email correspondence to [email protected] or please call 570-507-0042.

New Study Shows it’s Anything but Lonely at the Top—Where Does Your Site Stand?

Anyone can have a beautifully designed website but without utilizing SEO it is comparable to a billboard. It may be well built but it stays stagnant, not leading and converting customers directly to your business. According to a recent study, the top listing in Google’s organic search results receives 33 percent of the traffic, compared to 18 percent for the second position, and the traffic only degrades from there.* The web is the new phonebook, it’s where most people go to find anything and everything and with technology can be accessed almost immediately.

 

Sun Sign Designs has been researching marketing patterns and web development for over 10 years. Doing this allows us to stay up to date with the major search engines and market-place patterns. We will bring your website to the forefront on all major search engines, including Google, Bing and Firefox. Your presence on the first page will attract more business, increasing your revenue and gaining more buzz.

 

We firmly believe that SEO marketing is a close loop system, allowing you to see measurable results in black and white. Our team will always develop and deploy a marketing plan and will deliver a monthly report to you. We will walk you through all of our results and progress and will concsicely answer any questions you may have.

 

Our SEO packages provide the best services for website owners, including:

  • Research and Review of your site content and structure
  • Analysis of your competition and traffic
  • Content Development & Management
  • Keyword Research & SEO Maintanance.
  • Knowledge and Expertise in multiple markets and geographies

 

If you’re thinking about hiring someone for your SEO needs we do encourage you to get on board the earlier the better. Creating a presence from the start can only push your website to a first page presence faster, allowing your business to grow and thrive. *

 

* Information found at http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2276184/No.-1-Position-in-Google-Gets-33-of-Search-Traffic-Study

More than 74% of People use a Mobile Device to Search for Local Businesses

An overwhelming statistic above shows the drastic changes in how information is collected and viewed, directly impacting how having a strong web developer is crucial to keeping up with valuable online marketing solutions. Web development and the increased need to design a functional, user friendly, viewable website on a smart phone has become key to building the success of businesses these days. From new start-ups, mom and pops to bars and theaters, a web presence on a smart device is now a more prominent draw than using a PC because of the convenience and immediate access to pertinent information.

 

Creating a page or website that is mobile friendly is key to any businesses success now and into the future. A web design needs to be functional and aesthetically appealing. With GPS on phones, locating a place in close proximity to you is at your fingertips in seconds, therefore a sites content needs to engage its audience from the start. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to capitalize on your business because you haven’t kept up with the current trends and sunk your teeth into online marketing!

 

The web game is constantly changing and evolving. Making sure you are using the right tools to add value to your business is an increasing need, and utilizing these tools on mobile devices with a reputable web developer is the next big thing. Do not wait to see the change, be part of that change and let Sun Sign Designs assist you in getting there. Please reach out to our Sales Team at 570-507-0042 or [email protected].

How much could a cyber attack cost your business?

Ponemon Institute, a research facility, found that on average it takes 32 days for a business to recover from a cyber attack. That is a number that can paralyze a company and have a deadly impact on their cash flow. It can take down your network, preventing your employees from work and customers to stop doing business with you.

For example, a former employee of a business accounting software firm hacked into the email of company executives and used their contact list to spread claims that the company was defrauding its investors. These claims then went public online causing the start up companies site to be shut down permanently. The company was valued at $100 million at its peak and it had to go out of business.

The average business loses approximately $8,000 for every hour that its site is down. The estimated brand damage that occurs when customers get frustrated from this can cause up to 10 times that amount in earnings lost. Social media allows incidents like this to spread like wildfire the moment they happen making the need for internet security a must.

Cyber criminals look at small businesses as a stepping-stone and you don’t want your company to be the weakest link in a chain. In the past it was easy to buy a piece of software that would block a code from your system and that was enough, now you need an entire system to protect your server, data, emails, etcetera. Sun Sign Designs is the premiere system to handle these security needs for you and your company.

Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses a Growing Concern

Each day we allow ourselves to become more vulnerable to an internet attack, sometimes without even being aware that we are doing so. Smart phones and tablets are making the internet more accessible; you can find almost anything you need right at your fingertips. Take a moment to think about how many times you may have had a customer ask if they can connect to your companies wi-fi, and how many times you may have allowed access without thinking of underlying consequences.

31% of small businesses have said that they would not know what to do if they were to suffer a security breach and a quarter of these admit that they would not know how to recover any of their data. What we find more alarming is that most small businesses are convinced that an attack would never happen to them at all! In fact 82% of businesses polled believe they are too small to be susceptible for an attack.

This runs the gamut from businesses such as hair salons to doctors’ offices. There isn’t a business out there that could not benefit from proper online security, especially when you consider that 68% of these use a wi-fi connection and allow mobile and remote networking.

These are scary statistics in the ever-changing world we live in, however we are the leading source for your IT security needs, staying on top of the competition and always expanding our knowledge in the field. Our team puts every effort possible into exploring new and dangerous security breaches so we know exactly how to handle them with efficiency and cost-effectiveness. When you choose Sun Sign Designs, you are choosing peace of mind so you can focus your energy on building your business not on putting out fires that attackers can cause you.

AVG Screwed the Pooch

I recently had a rebuild of a client’s computer. They used AVG as their virus protection and in the past this software worked very well. I even had recommended it previously a few years back as a good piece of software. Come to find out, after installing the paid version of this software, my client ended up with more problems and viruses than ever before. AVG came bundled with tons of extra 3rd party packages that created mayhem in his machine. My recommendation going forward is to use a major brand, like norton. This guarantees that your system is secure. I have been using norton 360 which has solved all the problems caused by AVG.

Is Being In The Know In The Wrong?

For years I have been saying to our clients, that you need to show that you are experts in your field. You need to show that your “In the Know”, go out and write content on your site as a forum, blog or as news. Make sure you then get it seen on the social media channels and if possible on other directories.By “Being In The Know” you are showing that your are a credible source in your industry.

Enter Google, Goggle has launched a new attack on guest blogging and on blogging on other sites that link back to your own site. In some cases this is now considered spamy. Using the word blogging loosely, so I am clear in this context, is writing content on other sites that links back to yours. Google this month has been dishing out many manual penalties related to guest posts.

Back to being In The Know, it is important to show that you are an expert in your field, but best practice appears that one should keep their content writing to the confines of their own site and their own Social Media accounts. Since content is king, and even more so since July of 2013 when Google launch Humming bird, we are advising to keep on writing, but avoid writing on other sites, and if you feel so inclined to do so, make sure your posts are set to no-follow.