The Browser Wars: What Does It Mean For You?

Every time a browser is upgraded, updated or completely overhauled, you can expect the tech magazines to write a “Browser Wars!” article and the blogosphere to follow suit. These articles serve a purpose, so developers and consumers can make an informed decision about the pros and cons of each.

The month of March was a big one for web browsers. New versions of the Big 3 – Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox and Google’s Chrome – were released, with new features and retooled user interfaces. We can imagine users experienced a little bit of shock after downloading these, and seeing a completely look different from which they had grown accustomed.

WebDrafter.com’s blog serves to educate and inform the general consumer on all issues related to the Internet, and in this entry, we’ll discuss the updated big three: Firefox 4, Internet Explorer 9 and Chrome 10. What are the big differences from the previous version(s)? What do they mean for you? We’ll answer these questions.

In the first 24 hours of release, Firefox 4 was downloaded 7.1 million times (The Mozilla Blog) while Internet Explorer 9 only saw 2.35 million downloads (Techie Buzz). Numbers for Google Chrome 10 have not been released, but it’s gaining a fast foothold in the browser market, according to StatCounter. Chrome has over 12% of the market, while Firefox remains steady at around 30%. Meanwhile, from April 2010 to March 2011, Internet Explorer dropped from nearly 50% to under 48%.

It’s a bit surprising that IE9 fell behind Firefox 4, considering nearly half of Internet users utilize Internet Explorer as their browser of choice. However, this is probably due to two key reasons: IE9 wasn’t released in conjunction with a new version of Windows (unlike previous releases), and maybe more importantly, IE9 requires Windows Vista or Windows 7, and 41% of users continue to use Windows XP.

Common themes between each:

1. A Chrome influence: One of the unique things about Google Chrome when it first came out was that page tabs were above everything. Chrome’s influence is evident in Firefox and IE, as both browsers have adopted this. Modern web browsers aim to be as simple as possible, making navigation as simple as possible for users.
2. Support for HTML5 and CSS3: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the building block for any website, while cascading style sheets (CSS) is a language developers use to describe the look and format of a markup language, like HTML.
3. This doesn’t affect, or maybe matter, to the average user, but as more and more developers continue to adopt new HTML5 and CSS3 elements – like timed media playback, document editing, geolocation and “drag-and-drop” – browser developers will have to accommodate.
4. Increased security: As phishing and malware is sadly commonplace, developers must take this into consideration whenever they develop a new browser.

Differences between each:

1. Memory usage varies. According to a March 25 CNET article, Chrome 10 uses 390 MB of memory, while IE9 uses 195 MB and Firefox 4 only takes 146 MB. The less memory a program uses, the less of a strain on your resources. Additionally, according to the same article, Firefox 4 had the quickest boot time (around 17 seconds), while Chrome took almost 27 seconds.
2. Each browser has its own set of standards for CSS3. Chrome 10 and Firefox 4 support most of CSS3, while IE9 does support some of CSS3, there is much missing, like some background styles and transformation elements.
3. Google and Mozilla are known for offering users the ability to add plug ins (pop up blockers, social media tools, etc.) and themes for their browsers, and there is a wide variety available. Microsoft does offer add ons, but not nearly the volume of Google's or Mozilla's.

With browsers becoming more identical, it doesn’t matter which you use. Personally, WebDrafter.com recommends you download all three. That way, you have an alternative in case a website doesn’t work on your favorite browser.

For more information on what the different Internet browsers mean for your website design or search engine marketing, contact WebDrafter.com today.

Team Building Survey Landing Page for Yellow Hat Group by WebDrafter.com

The first thing visitors see when they visit Yellow Hat Group's new landing page, www.TeamBuildingSurvey.com, is a header that asks, "Is your company ticking like a finely crafted timepiece ... or more like a time bomb?"

When Yellow Hat Group came to WebDrafter.com for a landing page for their ProScan® products, the goal was to give them a Rolex, and not a powder keg.

Our talented staff succeeded. This new page features a short video that illustrates to readers how the company's human resource management, team building and recruiting surveys can better enhance their workforce productivity. It's simple, beautiful and extremely functional.

A workforce is the most important asset to any company. Now, Yellow Hat Group can add this page to its list of assets.

Learn how a landing page can become one of your company's most important assets by contacting WebDrafter.com and requesting a free search engine marketing quote.

Social Media Explained: Blogs

Welcome to WebDrafter.com's blog.

More and more, the blogosphere is a valuable marketing tool, allowing businesses to connect and provide customers information about products and services.

What are blogs?

The term is short for “web log.” Originally used as little more than online diaries, blogs have become very popular in recent years, with over 156 million in existence publicly.

Some of the most popular blog providers include Blogger, WordPress or Movable Type, although the latter two are Content Management Systems (CMS) that can be utilized for blogging.

How do I use them?

Blogging for business can be used in many ways. The main way is for promotional purposes, to spotlight products and services by providing more detailed information than what might be available on the website. A blog can also increase your Google rankings if backlinks are correctly used.

Should I use them?

Yes. In order to keep getting notice for your blog, then you need to constantly update with fresh content. The staff at WebDrafter.com can handle this task for an affordable fee, making sure your blog gets the attention it deserves.

At WebDrafter.com, we can administer your blog and write posts to ensure your website receives traffic. Be sure to keep visiting our blog at WebDrafter.blogspot.com.

Social Media Explained: Facebook

If there's one social network that doesn't get enough credit, it's Facebook. Initially developed for college students, Mark Zuckerberg's infamous creation appeals to everyone. You probably have one, your sister probably has an account and your mother might even have a Facebook profile.
With its many features and ability to access on any device, it's easy to see why Facebook became the King of Social Media Mountain, deposing the previous ruler, MySpace.

Despite this popularity, some have a negative mentality toward Facebook, not understanding how it can benefit their business and increase ROIs. Let's break it down:

What is Facebook?

Facebook is arguably the most popular social network ever. So popular that a movie about it's creation, “The Social Network,” was also popular. Facebook has over 600 million users, and utilizes many different features, from status updates to chat to a user's wall to photos, etc.

How do I use it?

The best thing businesses can do is to have a Facebook page, known formerly as “Fan Pages.” These pages enable to you connect with those who like the page, and your messages will be posted on those fans news feeds. When a person likes a page, his or her friends will see this on their news feeds. By word of posts, more and more people will learn about you.

Many of our clients choose not to stick just to posts, but also upload photos of products and services. This accessibility is appreciated by many consumers, who can easily connect with a business through a Facebook page.

Should I use it?

You cannot afford to not have a Facebook page. Having a page and frequently updating it will result in a better ROI as customers are more likely to visit your website because of this valuable marketing tool. Facebook continues to grow and new users are attracted to it on a daily basis.

Having a company like WebDrafter.com administer your page can mean better prominence and better sales.

Check back next week for an entry about blogs. And be sure to like WebDrafter.com's Facebook page!

Social Media Explained: Twitter

There’s one social network we get more questions about than any other. “What is Twitter?” “How do I use it?” “Should I use it?”

Twitter is one of the most popular – and most misunderstood – social networks. When used properly, it’s a great tool to market your business. When not used properly, you could be wasting your time.

So, let’s break it down and answer the three questions posed earlier.

What is Twitter?

In short, a social networking and microblogging service.

Twitter is essentially akin to a global water cooler. In 140 characters or less, users send out messages (tweets) on virtually any topic. Businesses have utilized Twitter as a way to connect with consumers, and can respond easily to customer feedback (praise or criticism).

With over an estimated 190 million users, approximately 65 million tweets and more than and search over 800,000 search queries are sent per day, worldwide.

How does Twitter compare to Facebook?

Some think of tweets in the same vein as the Facebook status update, but status updates don’t offer the same kind of marketability as do tweets. Here are few of the benefits to tweeting:

• Hashtags
• Hashtags are used to mark keywords or topics in a tweet. Users can click these terms and be taken to a page of tweets with that hashtag used.
  Example: Say you want to find tweets about jobs. If you search for “jobs” in Twitter, it will show you a list of tweets containing “#jobs.” Or, say you see “#jobs” in a tweet and find it interesting. You can click that and be taken to the search results page.
• Better promotion
• Facebook doesn’t feature status updates on its main page. Twitter does feature tweets on its main page in a “Top Tweets” feed.
• Direct connectivity
• You can’t hide easily on Twitter. While Facebook’s privacy settings can be set to the user’s comfort level, all you can do on Twitter is hide your tweets. These can be seen, however, if someone decides to follow you and you decide to allow this access.
  With Twitter, you can direct (publicly or privately) a tweet at another user and they will see it the next time they log on. A back-and-forth conversation can then ensue.

Should I use it?

Before you ask yourself this question, you should ask yourself, “Am I ready for a dramatic influx of customer interaction?” If so, then Twitter may be a good choice to add to your business’s marketing campaign. If you want the benefits and advantages of marketing through Twitter but don’t have the time to do it yourself, a credible search engine marketing (SEM) company like WebDrafter can manage and administer your campaign for you.

But, it should be something you think twice about. Twitter has become more than just about messages. It’s become a search engine of sorts, where users can access information quicker and easier than traditional browsing. Media outlets heavily used tweets as a source during the recent protests in Egypt. It was the only way, in some cases, that news was getting out.

Twitter users also love to search for good deals. With the right tweet and the right hashtags, your sales, specials, products and services can spread like wildfire. If a user with many followers mentions you (by referencing "@username"), those followers can become your followers and, potentially, your customers.

Don’t underestimate Twitter as a "hard concept with dumb slang" or as simply a passing fad. With the right utilization, like that offered by WebDrafter.com, your next sale could very likely come from Twitter.

Check back next week for an entry about Facebook. And be sure to follow @webdrafter on Twitter!