GoMo Helps Businesses Go Mobile

Many businesses understand the importance of reaching consumers on the go with great mobile sites. However, the process isn’t always easy and many smaller companies are stuck trying to figure out what is the first step. Enter Google's new initiative, “GoMo.” It aims to help businesses work out the kinks involved with going mobile.

Basically, Google has put together a list of resources to help businesses create a mobile site or troubleshoot an existing one. With an emphasis on why mobile matters, GoMo is also aimed at those stingy skeptics who still believe they can go without. (For those people I would like to say that mobile searches have grown four times since 2010, and that 57% of mobile users would not recommend a business with a bad mobile site.) The crux of the campaign is centered on their website, howtogomo.com. Once there, you can plug in your company website to see what it currently looks like on a smartphone, check out great mobile examples, and find site builders who can help.

The website also offers statistics on the mobile industry, so it’s worth a look around. Some interesting ones include:
-60% of users expect a mobile site to load in three seconds or less.
-61% of users call a business after searching and 59% visit the location.
-40% have turned to a competitor’s site after a bad mobile experience.

As far as ulterior motives go, Google is trying to grow its mobile ad business. Earlier this year Google revealed that 79 percent of its largest advertisers don't have mobile-optimised websites. The GoMo initiative will help businesses get their mobile feet off the ground, while also putting more ad dollars in Google’s wallet. Now that’s convenience.

Are tablets just mobile devices or something else?

Analytics packages often lump iPads and other tablets into the "Mobile" section of stats reports. I think they should be put in with non-mobile devices because they are more like notebook computers to me. What do you think?

Go to this link to vote: http://www.facebook.com/questions/256797307705537/?qa_ref=ns

We rocked the Google+ Hangout

As we've said time and time again, Google + has potential but it's a little late to the party. The bells and whistles are tempting, but they seem to be under used.  Well, just last night I gave Google+ Hangout a test run with a virtual baby shower.

A Google+ Baby Shower Hangout 

I invited my sister-in-law's friends from across the country to celebrate the soon-to-arrive baby boy.  At 6 pm, ladies from MN, KY, TX and LA logged on and joined the hangout.  Everyone except me was new to Google +, so it took 15 minutes or so (and a number of phone calls) to get everyone up and running. 

We played games, caught everyone up on life, had some shower-ish food and great virtual laughs. There were a few snags, like when some party-goers couldn't hear others, which lead to translators. Certain locations were stuck as the larger picture even when someone else was 'talking the loudest' and people kept getting logged out and needed to rejoin.

Overall it was a great 3 hours hanging out with friends scattered across the country...and then pictures from the shower and comments about the fun times were posted on Facebook.

How are you using Google+?

Video Post: Axiom @ Wilsonart Video Project in Bryan, OH

What do Dum Dum Suckers, an Etch-a-Sketch and huge tires have in common? They all call Bryan, Ohio, home. Dave Sniadak recently traveled to Bryan to produce another (Up)Date Night video series for Wilsonart International, and shares his experience in our latest Axiom @ video.

Wordless Wednesday: If Web Browsers Were Celebrities