Will Manuel

Apple: “Clean up your act!”. Major changes to the app store in the works

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Starting Sept 7th 2016, Apple will be be making some drastic changes to it’s app store SERP’s (Search Engine Results Pages) in an effort to clean up some of the rampant rubbish currently cluttering up their app store. The changes were spawned from an outcry within the the “legit” app development community that higher quality apps were getting pushed down in the search results due to those who use blackhat or obscure ASO (App Store Optimization) techniques to move up in the rankings. These underminers also used long-tail, misspellings or exact match titles in their app listings to trick unsuspecting users and garner larger quantities of eyes to their apps. In 3 days, if Apple comes across a mobile app that has not been updated since 2012, they will alert the app’s developer of any changes/updates that need to be made. If the requests are not followed in a timely fashion, measures will be taken towards removal from app store.

The search function is one of the main methods customers use to find and download apps from the App Store. With hopes of altering search results, some developers have used long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app. App names you submit in iTunes Connect for new apps and updates will now be limited to no longer than 50 characters.

In a recent blog post published on Apple’s developer site, the iPhone creator laid out a list of App Store improvements crafted to “make it easier for customers to find great apps that fit their needs.”

Apple also wrote:

“You will be asked to submit an update within 30 days to keep your app on the App Store. If you are unable to make the changes within this time frame, your app will be removed from the App Store until you submit an update and it is approved. Please note that apps that crash on launch will be removed immediately.”

This change is long overdue and we are happy to see these measures being taken to improve the quality of the search results within Apple’s app store.

Will Manuel

READ THIS If you are concerned with Google Rankings

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So some of you may have heard of Google’s newest algorithm update that is set to start rolling out next month(April 21st) and are in an absolute panic. I’ve fielded several inquiries from colleagues/friends about these updates and I am willing to help/assist if anyone needs it. I’ve been in the Web Design/Dev and SEO game for well over a decade; this update is believed to be MAJOR and have more impact than both the Panda and Penguin updates(MANY sites saw huge losses in the SERP’s from those two). I’ve even heard this newest mobile-friendly update being coined “Mobilegeddon”. Sounds scary, but many of you(especially those who have gotten sites done by my companies) are in good shape for this update. If not, I can still field any questions you may have and at least point you in the right direction to mitigate any potential losses.

I won’t go into technical details for the sake of keeping this shorter and sweeter but the first step is to run a quick scan of your site’s URL through Google Webmaster Tools (you can do this by visiting the link below). Determine how Google interprets your pages and make a informed decision from there. There are no levels to this algorithmic change; you are either mobile-friendly or not.

Check your site here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/

If you’re site is not mobile-friendly after running this scan, let me know.

Share this post as your friends/colleagues may not even know about this update and if you have any questions, send me a direct message or call the business line @ 321-287-2734.

Will Manuel

Will Manuel

How can mobile web impact your bottom line

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Everyone knows that the bottom line is green, so to speak. The impact that mobile devices are having on the world is staggering. Some small companies today are running part if not their whole businesses from their mobile devices. What that means for them is less time behind a desk. One can advertise, recruit, draft documents, conduct their business and get paid from anywhere in the world night or day. This means costs savings and time efficiency. As you read this there is likely someone in a cafe celebrating the big sale they just made with another round of latte.

There was a time not so long ago when you had to have an office to get business. Now you just need a computer. If you are going to own a computer, that computer should be mobile or you will need an office to keep it in. By cutting the bulk out of business overhead you also cut costs. The office is just the tip of the iceberg. Your mobile devices can be loaded with applications that serve to replace many of the office supplies that you have needed to fill it. From card readers to file cabinets and beyond. You can even get a virtual assistant that obeys your every order and not pay them a huge salary. This way of business isn’t just easy on your budget, it is also easier on the planet. Think of the paper you can save. A lot of companies today will send your receipts to your email. The trees that are being saved annually could number in the millions, if all receipts were handled that way. By cutting costs, you can free up more money to expand your business. If you are like one of the nearly 235 million mobile users in the US, you are likely reading this from your mobile device while out of the office. These devices and software applications give businesses the opportunity to compete and thrive. The bottom line is rising to meet you, don’t miss it.

Will Manuel

You can’t afford to ignore the mobile business revolution

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A smart phone isn’t just a a phone any more, it’s a genius or one might say a genie that grants wishes. It is also an office, a cyber arcade, a library, a social gathering, a portal to the internet, an electronic mail service, a bank, a stock broker, a file cabinet and the list goes on.

Converging technologies are making the your smart phone smarter and much more useful. For those that doesn’t know, converging technologies are what you get when you cross new technology with an existing one or a new one. Around the world the popularity of smart phones has risen steadily over the last decade. A smart phone can even be a fully functioning virtual office. You can take online orders, process payments, hire employees and finish a gig. When you finish a job, you can have the funds transferred to your bank. There is barely a need to go to the office anymore.

The idea that smart phone software producers keep expanding the functionality of the phone is good. It means that one has the convenience of accessing things and people around the world anytime of the day or night. The younger generations have been utilizing this technological adaptability to the fullest potential of the mobile devices and their software. They are driving the industry ahead with a demand for greater and greater innovations. When they see a barrier, they break through it. These devices aren’t just for kids. As the kids turn to adults, they bring fresh ideas and the technologies they grew up on to the workplace. There are approximately 235 million mobile device users in the US alone. They are using the phones to work, play and socialize at an increasing rate every year.

The genie is out of the bottle and the ‘mobile revolution’ is moving ahead. Whatever you wish for, don’t get left behind.

Will Manuel

App Icons – Why So Blue?

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I woke up this morning and parsed through some email on my mobile phone while enjoying my morning cup of joe. I double tap the home button to do what I do best(arguably) – multi-task. 🙂

Here is what I’m looking at:

Blue Mobile Application Icons

Mobile App Icons – Blue

I then take a screenshot to show you guys. I go to upload it to Dropbox (ironically has another Blue App Icon) and think, man this blue is really playing itself out!

Am I the only one that notices this?

A few other incredibly popular apps with blue icons you may be familiar with: Facebook, Echophone, Police Scanner, PayPal, LogMeIn, LinkedIn, Skype, MapMyRun and about 3 trillion others I don’t have the patience or bandwidth to mention 🙂

Why so down in the dumps people? Feeling a bit sad about someone or something? Or have you just read about the color of blue like I have and know that it’s a color of stability, trust, happiness and integrity? I hate to break it to you but not all apps exemplify all of those qualities so it’s ok to roll with some other colors. Show some creativity and showmanship by deviating a little bit. I, for one, will remember you more for being an outlier than bell curver.

I digress. The main point behind this post besides my utter sickness of the color blue is that it doesn’t hurt to go with another color as your base. Don’t be afraid. Live a little.

Designer’s tip:
Use richer and bolder shades of blue with a contrasting color if possible. Two good colors I always find to work well are orange and green.

Ciao for now!