Traditional Media vs. Social Media

Using the Internet to your advantage is what’s going to keep your brand name out there. Social media is a powerful tool when used correctly. Social networking sites are popping up seems like every other month, making it hard to even keep up. Similar to other forms of marketing, social networking has its pros and cons.

By definition, social media describes web sites that allow online users to share information, media, content, etc. Common examples are the popular social networking sites:

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Friendster

Other popular social media sites that offer a slightly different type of membership include:

• YouTube (video sharing)
• Photobucket (image sharing)
• Flickr (image sharing)

Studies show that people gain more information, education, and news by electronic media and print. The Internet and social media is more popular than traditional media, such as newspapers, televisions, and film.

Described below are the differences and similarities between social media and traditional media:

• Both grant the ability to reach a global audience.
• Traditional media is owned privately or by government, while social media tools are available to anyone at little or no cost.
• Social media typically doesn’t require specialized skills and training.
• Once created, traditional media cannot be altered. For example, once a magazine article is printed and distributed, changes cannot be made to that article. Social media can be modified at any time.
• Social media is available in different forms. Online users are able to choose from forums, weblogs, social blogs, microblogging, social bookmarking, podcasts, and video sharing.

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CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

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Page Ranking Tips

Achieving high page ranking can be easy for some web sites and harder for other sites. Search engines, such as Google and Yahoo, look for two aspects to your web site: relevance and context. It is best to pay close attention to the specific keywords and phrases that you choose to use because it can affect the ranking of your web site.

Below are several tips and recommendations for web sites that are looking to increase their page ranking. Play close attention to these tips when looking to improve your listings.

Ways to Increase Your PageRank by CODANK Charlotte Web Design

•Create a blog and begin posting quality content
•Keep all of your content fresh, appealing, and up-to-date. Doing so will attract more visitors that will eventually come back more frequently.
•Use descriptive title tags, page titles, meta keywords, and meta descriptions for all web pages include on your site.
•Place important keywords in your meta tags, header, opening paragraph, and footer
•Link your web site with other sites with high page rankings. Low ranked pages can cause your page to drop in rankings as well.
•Register your web site with local directories and search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing/MSN.
•Use keywords that are visitor-friendly. Conduct thorough research and do not simply rely on your own judgment for keywords and phrases.
•Delete or update idle web pages
•Take advantage of social networking sites that allow you to post vital information – website URL, contact information, etc.

About CODANK Charlotte Web Design

CODANK is a top Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company located in Charlotte, NC. The company is dedicated to providing a broad range of web design services. CODANK specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Graphic Design, Online Marketing, and Web Design and Development.

For more information, visit CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company at www.codank.com

Social Networking for Businesses

As a business owner, you should not limit yourself to only blogging and paying for online advertisements because it isn’t guaranteed to get your business too far. Networking tools are beginning to surface almost every single day. These networking tools give you and your business the opportunity to connect with a large mass of people and reach your specific target market.

A social network is defined as a social structure made of individuals (or organizations) which are connected by a common interest. It would be in your best interest to use any networking tool to help build your internet existence.

Create a profile on the following sites to help direct more traffic back to your company’s web site. With these social networking sites, you will be able to connect with other professionals, potential clients, and supporters who are most likely to have an interest in your products or services.

Top social networking sites for businesses include:

Biznik – Dedicated to entrepreneurs and small businesses helping each other succeed

Ecademy – A business network for creating contacts and sharing knowledge

Cofoundr – A community for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors, and other individuals involved with starting new ventures

Focus – Created to help business decision makers and IT professionals make decisions

LinkedIn – A professional network that allows you to be introduced to and collaborate with other professionals

Plaxo – An enhanced address book tool for networking and staying in contact

Upspring – A social networking site for promotion and social networking

Networking for Professionals – A business network that combines online business networking and real-life events

About CODANK Charlotte Web Design

CODANK is a top Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company located in Charlotte, NC. The company is dedicated to providing a broad range of web design services. CODANK specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Graphic Design, Online Marketing, and Web Design and Development.

For more information, visit CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company at www.codank.com

Social Media 101

Interaction within your network is a great way to generate interest in your business. Everyday people will not be drawn to you if they have nothing to spark their interest. Being able to reach these people where they are most comfortable, and this is usually social web sites. Search Engine Optimization professionals have coined this term Social Media.

Social media is defined as a form of marketing that concentrates on increasing traffic and awareness by participating in various social media web sites.

This new phase has been creating such a buzz in today’s business world that large corporations such as CNN are beginning to take advantage of it.

SEO professional have agreed that social networks make it easier to build contacts and potential clients that in return can assist in spreading the word about a certain business’ products or services and web site.

Creating an account on these social media sites (listed below) will provide you with a platform for your network to comment, view, and vote on the content and photos in which you provide. The Internet also contains social websites that focus on news and video sharing.

Below are a few examples of the different social media categories and the top sites:

Social Bookmarking – share, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of websites
Delicious - www.delicious.com
StumbleUpon - www.stumbleupon.com

Social Networking – build a profile, add friends, update your status, share photos and videos
Twitter – http://twitter.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com
MySpace – www.myspace.com

Social News – submit and vote on news stories or other links
Digg - www.digg.com
Technorati - www.technorati.com

Blogging – post regular entries of articles, content, or other written material
Blogger – www.blogger.com
HubPages – www.hubpages.com

Video Sharing – upload video clips for public viewing
YouTube – www.youtube.com
Vimeo – www.vimeo.com

About CODANK Charlotte Web Design

CODANK is a top Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company located in Charlotte, NC. The company is dedicated to providing a broad range of web design services. CODANK specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Graphic Design, Online Marketing, and Web Design and Development.

For more information, visit CODANK Charlotte Web Design and Internet Marketing Company at www.codank.com