google

Google’s New Logo – Our Thoughts

September 9, 2015 by adomedia

Google has unveiled a new look just one month after internally restructuring the business. This is the biggest update to their branding for 16 years, and there’s been plenty of varied opinion surrounding it. Whether good or bad, there’s no doubt that people are talking about the new sans-serif Google.

There’s been mixed reviews in the studio, but overall we like the new Google. With many aspects of change, people don’t like it and are quick to criticise, but after time this can change. This update from Google reminds us of when Facebook relaunched their user interface, and lots of people grumbled over that. But now it’s not so much of a big deal, and people generally don’t remember (*cough* apart from us…).

Google has lent it’s new G to all of its products and services, it looks great on Android devices. As time goes on the logo begins to make more sense.

Google’s decision to employ the sans-serif typeface simplifies the lettering, making it appear smaller and clearer on mobile devices. Their focus on online activity via smaller devices rather than desktop has grown. Perhaps this is in conjunction with their search algorithm update applied to mobile compatible sites back in April, you can find out more about this topic in one of our previous blogs here.

The new Google branding closely relates to the logo of their parent company Alphabet, whose homepage features the following:

This quote is specifically highlighted in Alphabet’s unconventional URL abc.xyz.

No matter what we think of Google’s new logo, essentially it’s a sign that after the recent shake ups within the company structure, that they are ready for future changes and updates. If this means we begin to see more and more of Google’s innovation throughout the organisation, then surely this can only be a positive sign.

Embrace the change.

Changes to Google’s Mobile Rankings

May 22, 2015 by adomedia

So your website’s made it on to the first page of Google, great! Have you tested the same search on your mobile device? If not, you may get an unpleasant surprise. As of April the 21st Google made several changes to their search algorithm, giving priority to sites which are mobile user friendly. This means if your site isn’t mobile compatible, then it will be pushed down the rankings, to make way for optimised pages.

This suggests that, “the search engine giant is sending a strong message to brands – improve your mobile sites or else…” – The Drum, April 2015.

Google warned brands in February 2015 of the upcoming changes to their mobile search results and how this may effect their ranking. It seems Google have taken the initiative in a bid to increase revenue by putting pressure on brands to make their digital presence more user friendly. It is estimated that 50% of all smartphone internet traffic passes through Google Search, so it is understandable that the multinational tech giants are ready to force the issue with brands whose sites aren’t mobile user friendly, to unlock a huge wad of potential revenue. Google claim that due to the rise of the smart phone and the wide access to the internet on mobile devices, their algorithm had to take this into account when adding and changing the way in which it operates.

However, this can be an issue for many businesses for several reasons. Simply being unaware of this change can be potentially damaging to any business, as they will have slipped down the rankings without even knowing. This adjustment has also incurred cost to many businesses, scrambling to pay for an updated site at short notice. Those who have built a strong presence via SEO, may now find their efforts redundant.

Although it may seem harsh at first, this move from Google is urging brands to update their sites and stay in line with advancements in technology and having a mobile-friendly is site is a great decision in the long run.

You can click here to check if your site is mobile-friendly.

To find out more from Google themselves, you can read their blog on the topic here.

Lost Your Phone? Simply Ask Google

April 17, 2015 by adomedia

We’ve all experienced the panic of losing our phone, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, before you realise you’re actually sat right next to it. No matter the situation, we’ve all felt the fear. Losing your phone is not only incredibly frustrating but it can bring along with it a nasty financial surprise, there’s always the never ending feeling of, “But where did I leave it?”. Never mind the brave friend who dares to ask, “Have you checked your pockets?”. OF COURSE YOU’VE CHECKED YOUR POCKETS, and underneath the car seats, in the dog basket and the bag you haven’t used for 6 months… It’s gone. You’ve only unpacked your home and had a mini meltdown at the front door before finally accepting defeat. After you’ve got over the initial loss, you speak to your insurance company or buy a new phone and order is restored. But what if Google can put an end to this trauma? Well, they have.

The new feature, which was unveiled by Google on Wednesday, allows you to search for your Android phone using their search engine. However, there are a few things which you need to consider and put into place for the feature to work.

Log into the same Google account on your phone and PC browser, to ensure that both accounts are linked.

Image via geek.com

Next, you simply type, ‘find my phone’ into the search engine and Google will pull up the location of your device via a map, showing you exactly where your missing tech has found itself.

You can also select the option for Google to ring your phone, so that if you are unfortunate enough to lose a device at home, you can follow the sound to find it.

Apple also offer a similar service, ‘Find my iPhone’ which allows you to find your missing device in a similar manner.

Next time you’re faced with the unnerving feeling of losing your phone, be safe in the knowledge that you have the latest Google update or Apple’s ‘Find My iPhone’ in place and fingers crossed you’ll be reunited with your smartphone soul mate in no time, even if it is in that pocket you thought you’d already checked…

Find more info from cnet here .

London Underground Artwork

January 9, 2013 by adomedia

You may have noticed Google’s fantastic home page today, celebrating 150 years of the London Underground.

Over those 150 years, the iconic underground transport system has developed a stylish global identity through posters and design. Today we take a look at some of our favourites.

It is Warmer Down Below by Austin Cooper, 1924

London Underground Tube Repairs Poster

London Underground poster for London Zoo

One Every 90 seconds; Vintage London Underground Poster

‘Speed’ Vintage London Underground Poster

Go By Underground; London Underground Poster, Edward McKnight, 1930’s

London’s Power Underground Vintage Poster

London Underground Poster from 1925 – Summer Sales

Tate Gallery by Tube; by David Booth, 1986

Keep Warm Travel Underground; by Kathleen Stenning, 1925

Is your website getting the right results?

December 5, 2011 by adomedia

It is now well understood by almost all business owners that a website is no longer just an option, but a necessity. From a simple contact page to a full blown e-commerce shop, whether you are a local butchers or a blue chip corporation, no question about it, having a web presence (and a decent one at that) is absolutely imperative.

However, what is not always understood is how to drive the relevant clients towards that website. Now we do understand that not everyone is as interested in these things as the geek squad here at ADOtowers, but let me put it this way, would you open a shop in the middle of nowhere and then sit back and hope that the right people found it? You could be selling the finest, juiciest produce known to man but if you didn’t put any signs up to point people towards it then who would know? Its just bad business. The same goes for your website. Cyberspace is a big old place and without the right advertising how on earth are your customers and potential clients going to find you?

It’s a complicated old business pushing your way past your competition and getting your website where it needs to be. It requires a lot of work and know-how and can be a bit daunting but hey, don’t panic… we can help. After several queries from our clients about getting their shiny new websites up the search engines, we decided to clear out the west wing of ADOtowers and set up a brand spanking new department solely dedicated to SEO (that’s search engine optimisation to those of you who don’t speak geek). We have done our homework and called in the experts… and, as with all of our services, we are absolutely confident in offering the very best optimisation around. No rock bottom priced cowboy packages or unrealistic empty promises, just good quality, well researched, effective marketing.

We have devised three different packages aimed at marketing your website through various channels. We can guide you step by step through all the best ways to begin your web marketing campaign and set realistic goals and time frames. We will help you to devise the best strategy for your business and manage your promotions to achieve the results you want.

Your website is probably your most powerful marketing tool and we are here to help you utilise it! The right website combined with the most effective web marketing campaign can truly take your business to the next level. The potential to contact the world and tell them what you can offer is something that businesses are still in the relatively early stages of grasping. Get your business in on that action and see what you can do. The web is your oyster.

For more information, please take a look here. Alternatively if you would like pop in for a chat and find out a bit more about it, we will be more than happy to explain it to you in more detail. Just give us a bell on 01625 612 198.

As a small business ourselves, we know how hard it is out there. We are passionate about providing our clients with the best possible services to help them succeed. Why not let us help your business get where you want it to be?

The Wilderness Downtown

December 1, 2010 by adomedia

Considering the weather at the moment, the title of this Google Chrome experiment seems more than appropriate. This is an experiment developed using HTML5 featuring the song “We Used To Wait” by Arcade Fire. Self described as an interactive film and using Google Earth information to link to your hometown, it is a modern fusion of music, video and graphics showing what diversity you can create with HTML5.

Be entertained by this visual treat here.

Google’s beginners guide to the web

November 19, 2010 by adomedia

Twenty years ago this month, Tim Berners-Lee published his proposal for the World Wide Web. Twenty years later Google have decided to produce an online book called “20 Things I Learned About The Web”. This informative and entertaining electronic book covers topics as general as “What is the Internet” to more in depth subjects like “Plug-ins”, “IP addresses & DNS” and “Evolving to a Faster Web”. Head on over to take a look at it’s interesting concept of simplistic design fused with easy to understand technical content.

Take a view of Google’s guide here.

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