Back in April, Google announced they were changing their Local Business Center to Google Places. The tool enables business owners to manage their presence on Google. Google is making the push to become the de facto directory for local businesses on the web. The launch introduced a whole bunch of new features including local search and map listings, real-time updates, custom quick response (QR) codes and coupons, and even photo shoots for businesses. While Geo startup Foursquare (and even Twitter) is taking a social approach to local business listings, coupons, and offers, Google is approaching this from the search side. It is powerful as a search tool a far as that goes, but it is clear the location war is just beginning.

LinkedIn has over 65 million professionals in their network, it is amazing they don’t really get the buzz that both Twitter and Facebook command.  Last month, they introduced a new tool which might give them a boost in the buzz department. Similar to a Facebook Fan Page, you can now follow companies. Being a company follower on LinkedIn will get you status updates such as promotions, recent hires, and company profile updates. The initial launch interaction opportunities are fairly basic, but as the feature matures more opportunities will be released to improve communication between companies and individuals. 

It is extremely simple to follow a company.  For instance, you can follow Parallel Interactive Communications by going to our LinkedIn profile and click on the “Follow Company” link in the upper right hand corner.

LinkedIn also recently launched eight new features related to link sharing, status updates and posting articles similar to Facebook. What do you think? Can LinkedIn compete with Twitter and Facebook?  Read More

Yesterday was a big day! Google got a new look and some hot new features, including a new mobile search.

What’s new and improved? The latest version of Google has some major differences – design changes, the addition of a left-hand navigation, and a more integrated search experience.

The design focus remains simple. So simple, in fact, you probably won’t notice the revised Google logo.

The addition of the left-hand navigation is a nice touch. You can see the types of search options available, such as Image Search, Shopping Search and Books Search. The coolest feature of the new menu? It’s dynamic. Your search options change based on your search topic.

The integrated search is designed to help you refine results by adapting to your search needs and streamlining the search experience. When you click on any of the menu items it won’t take you to a wholly different results page. Instead the left-hand menu stays put as you search which should make it easier for you to navigate the page.

What do you think of this new Google? Let us know in the comments.

To the average computer user, browser extensions and add-ons can be a little mysterious. They suddenly appear when you download a new browser or upgrade your current browser. However, browser extensions allow you to create short cut menus, toolbars and buttons, and help add-ons; they ultimately enhance your browsing experience.  Having recently added Google Chrome as my main browser, I found lots of time-saving toolbar buttons, extensions and short cuts, which make browsing the internet quicker and easier.  The easy to follow video below will help you understand and download extensions.

Email marketing is a simple, cost-effective tool which helps build ongoing, interactive dialogues with your customers. Social media marketing is quickly becoming the easiest way to reach a large audience including your customers. What happens if the two are combined? Microsoft, Google and even possibly Facebook have plans to integrate email and social media. If they are successful, the consumer’s view of email and social media will become vastly integrated. As email marketers, it is important to prepare for this shift by developing an integrated strategy for both channels now. In his article, Integrating E-mail and Social Marketing: Do’s and Don’ts, Simms Jenkins, highlights four points to consider when merging these email and social media:

• Don’t Be the Cut-and-Paste Social Marketer
• Do Share Content and Value
• Do Open a New Door if Another One Closes
• Do Build Lists Strategically

Get ready for your viral marketing programs to become significantly more influential.

Mobile devices have arrived and are making huge in-roads in today’s marketplace. The number of people using multipurpose smartphones (iPhones, Blackberries, and Droids) has soared over the past years. With the merger of video, cameras, GPS, cell phones, and computers, mobile websites and applications are emerging as the way to put your business where the consumers are. With recording huge 4^th Quarter Earnings, Google has made it clear mobile web is where the big growth is… and may be overtaking the PC Web sooner than later.  Learn More

Did you hear? Google has launched Google Buzz . Be sure to check out this great  new tool to have conversations with people you already email and chat with via Gmail.  Let us know what you think, post a comment.