Now Google tells you times for sunrise & sunset

Here's a new feature from Google for people who want to make the most of the daylight. Just  search on Google for 'sunrise' or 'sunset' plus your location (e.g. town or post code) and Google returns the correct time for that day. 


OK, not necessarily something that will revolutionise your web marketing but a nice new feature that made me smile this morning.


Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably. Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

New iPad better than expected

I converted to Apple 5 years ago and quickly became an Apple advocate. Over the years I have bought an iPod, an iMac, a Mac PowerBook, 2 iPhones, a MacBook Pro as well as iLife & iWork. 


However, I had a lukewarm response to the pre-launch hype about the iPad. I couldn't see how the iPad could help me: as I always carry my iPhone around and (when working) a MacBook Pro. I just saw it as a 3rd device I don't need and I already carry around too much stuff.


Today, I wandered into the Apple Store at Cribbs Causeway, picked up the iPad and immediately fell in love with the device. It looked great, was very light and given my iPhone experience I was immediately able to use it without much thought.


Web pages looked great on it. Photos were brilliant. The keyboard was great. Even a KeyNote (PowerPoint) presentation looked good and I could imagine using it in a 1 to 1 situation. In a 2 minute scan, some of the apps / games loaded onto the device looked amazing. Reading a book was good too. I couldn't see a downside.


Before launching my web marketing agency Brand New Way, I worked in large corporates and spent all day rushing from meeting to meeting carrying a heavy, slow Windows PC without wifi access. If I worked in that sort of environment today, the iPad would be a brilliant mobile tool with the 'laptop' machine remaining at my desk.


So, having seen the iPad and spent 15 minutes using the device I am very, very impressed. However, given my current usage, I am not sure I could justify buying one today but watch this space...


Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably. Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

When did you last analyse your website content?

Are you sure your web content is working as hard as it could be?

After you launched your website did you immediately move on to other marketing or business activities? I am 99.9% confident that your website could be significantly improved to achieve better business performance. Follow my check list and take a fresh look at your website. Read more...

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

A great UK web business example - Find a parking space on line

Here is a great example of an innovative web business that brings buyers and sellers together. It reminds me of a web marketing case study when I worked for the RAC in Bristol. Read more...

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

Great email example of timeliness improving open rates

Shortly after the Chancellor completed his budget announcement, The Times sent out an email with the subject line 'Peter, your budget questions answered'. This is a great example of powerful email marketing. Read more...

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

Has Google's new Buzz social marketing service caused it to lose brand 'brownie points'?

Outstanding brands build 'goodwill brownie points' with their customers. With great services like Pay Per Click Advertising or Web Analytics, Google have built a loyal, committed customer base. However, Google's new service Buzz has received some negative reaction. How will this impact the brand? Will people email loyal or become brand terrorists? Read more...

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

Are you still waiting to SEO your website?

A good Google search engine ranking is a critical success factor for most websites. So why hasn't every website been optimised? What's your reason for not starting? Read more about SEO? 

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.

Do you measure page exit rates as part of your web analytics?

Any business that wants to ensure that their website is delivering value needs to be doing web analytics. But with so many metrics available in Google Analytics it's often difficult to find the wood for the trees. Should every metric available play an important role in your website analysis? For example, is Page Exits a useful measure? Read more...

Remember...web marketing is about solving customers' problems profitably.

Peter Hawtin is an internet marketing specialist with Brand New Way, a UK web marketing agency which helps companies to attract and keep valuable customers online.