NEWS+BLOG

Here at Cyber we have found that there is alot of confusion over the difference between Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM).

This confusion seems to stem from the constant bombardment of telemarketing calls and emails from supposed Search Engine Optimisation companies who all "guarantee to get you on the first page of Google or your money back".

Unfortunately there are some very unscrupulous companies out there who do prey on peoples lack of knowledge of how SEO & SEM works.

Firstly we should define the difference between Search Engine Optimisation & Marketing.

Search Engine Marketing consists of the bidding for or purchase of Keywords within Search Engine results via services such as Google Adwords.

What this means is that when a user performs a search for say "VOIP" in Google they will be presented with two types of result.

1. Organic Results
2. Sponsored Links

Search Engine Marketing aims to position your website link in the Sponsored Links section which can be found at the top and right of the page and should a user click a link within these Sponsored Link zones the advertiser will be charged for this click anywhere from a few cents to tens of dollars per individual click.

Search Engine Optimisation however relys on the relevance of your content to the users search term. These "organic" search results are generally more trusted by users.

The only way to build relevance and user trust, besides your actual content is to ensure that relevant keywords are also scattered throughout your website in several key areas.

sanscode 3.3 provides users with the ability to dynamically control keywords on both a global (sitewide) level as well as right down to the individual page. This high level of CMS based optimisation control, coupled with a "from the ground up" approach to search engine optimisation ensures that our clients who choose to use our sanscode platform have the best possible opportunity to be ranked highly by the search engines.

Due to the organic nature of the standard Google results there is no possible way to guarantee first page positioning.

If a "Search Engine Optimisation" company does promise to get you on the first page then they are more than likely going to sell you Google Adwords which will cost you alot more in the long term that properly optimising your site for the standard organic search results.

A fantastic example of the power of sanscode SEO procedures is MyNetFone.
A sanscode user for 18 months, MyNetFone does enjoy a first page position for the very general keyword of "voip" as you can see from the screenshot below.

This result was achieved with three (3) months of the launch of the new website 18 months ago. Whilst we cannot and will not guarantee this sort of result for every sanscode

With the rapid growth of the web as businesses primary method of communication we are finding that a number of our clients are developing a need for a large number of targeted websites and microsites that form an interlinked group.

For example, a consumer products company may carry a number of different and un-related ranges of products such as baby products and car accessories.

Due to the complete difference in target markets for these two products it makes sense to split them up into targeted microsites each with their own custom design and search engine optimisation.

Normally, if you were to construct these two websites using a Content Management System you would essentially have two websites with two different control panels and twice the development cost.

The latest version of sanscode however, version 3.3, has the ability to streamline the maintenaince of multiple websites when located on the same server.

In the case of the above hypothetical consumer products company, both websites would consist of a content management system with a dynamic products catelogue.

With sanscode 3.3, rather than developing two different sites, we can simply create a single website and then make any number of virtual duplicates.

These duplicate websites will function in the exact same way as the original, but with their own design, content, products and search engine optimisation yet will all be controlled via a single intuitive interface.

Using this method we are able to rapidly rollout an unlimited number of targeted, duplicate websites for a very minimal cost per unit.

Contrary to popular belief, print is not dead. It is just seasonal.

We have just come out of the tail end of our annual catalogue season within which we tackle the simultaneous photography, layout, refinement and proofing of a number of printed catalogues.

The catalogue rush begins around July with a tight deadline to ensure that proofing and printing can be completed in time for the Christmas rush.

Catalogue design isn't simply a case of slapping down some product shots, prices and calling it a day. There is a science and skill to it which requires a significant amount of attention to detail and of course time.

One of our annual Catalogue projects is The Premier Collection.

The Premier Collection project allows our team to mix things up a little with a large amount of product photography, logo design, catalogue design & layout and proofing.

This years 08/09 edition required the photography and deep etching of over 60 new products.

In total over 1000 shots were taken, of those 1000 shots, 300 were selected for refinement. From those 300 refined images, only 160 were selected for use in the final catalogue.

This edition also included the addition of a new Eco section which features Eco friendly promotional products. This new section required the design of a new logo as well as a special design treatment to highlight its Eco Friendly message.

Over 10 logos were conceptualised for the "B Green" range of Eco products and of course only 1 was selected for the final catalogue.

As you can see, catalogue design is a lot of work but we like to think of it as a labour of love.

If you have a catalogue project that needs that special attention please give us a call and we will see how we can help.

Well if you haven't already heard, and I am fairly sure that even the guys on the International Space Station have, Google has entered the Browser wars with Google Chrome.

Now there is quite literally no point in me running through its features as as the title of this post says, there is quite enough of that already.

Instead I am happy to say that I have made the switch. Previously a loyal Firefox user and a huge love for its speed and extensability, I have now pressed the "Make Google Chrome your default browser" button and am using it full time to really put it through its paces.

I am also happy to say that I am pleasently surprised and impressed.
There are of course a number of missing features such as extensions (i do miss Better Gmail 2) and for some the interface may appear too basic but in my opinion it is a very good start and should give both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox a run for their money.

I very much look forward to seeing where Google take this latest edition to their extensive list of jabs at Microsoft.

I am also happy to report that sanscode functions perfectly under this new and still in Beta browser.

Recently we released the latest update to our sanscode CMS, version 3.3.
Building upon this popular, intuitive, powerful and infinatly expandable platform, sanscode 3.3 provides a number of core refinements and optimisations as well we a number of new features.

Multi-site Dashboard

Sanscode now provides customers who have multiple sites located on the same server to dynamicly switch between each site from a single dashboard.

Each site is still able to have its own customised design templates, layout components and of course custom modules.

Multi-lingual support

Sanscode is now compatible with Unicode character sets which allows users to input multi lingual content such as Chinese charcters.

Coupled with the Multi-site Dashboard feature clients can now easilly upgrade their websites to provide as many multi lingual duplicates of their site as required, each with their own customised content.

Dynamic Image Cropper

One of the most common complaints we get from our clients is "I don't have photoshop! How do I crop my images?".

So we created the sanscode Image Cropper. This intuitive function allows you to simply upload any image and then dynamiclly scale and crop the image to the require size.

You can even save a duplicate so that you can experiment and not ruin the original.

Improved Usability

Getting your content loaded as quickly and simply as possible is a major focus of sanscode, so we have made a number of interface improvements such as Bigger, brighter buttons and more intuitive menus which reduce the backwards and forwards of site navigation.

There are a number of sites currently in development using sanscode 3.3 which are due to launch soon.

If you would like a test run of the sanscode platform please feel free to contact us for a free demonstration.

Making your home and office Eco friendly has become a major focus for many Australian families and businesses of late which places one of our latest projects right in the limelight.

Ikko.com.au, powered by our sanscode CMS, is a 100% online e-commerce store offering more Eco friendly products than I knew existed for both the home and office.

Not only can you browse and purchase eco friendly products for every corner of your home but Ikko also provide regular updates, tips and recommendations on every aspect of thinking and shopping green.

Please pay Ikko a visit and start to make a difference.