Mobile-friendly websites and mobile optimized websites are two different types of websites. If a website is Flash-based, it falls into neither of these categories. As the mobile space continues to see unprecedented growth, the importance of understanding the difference is becoming crucial. It could mean the difference between winning or losing a prospective client.

At the beginning of this month, Nielsen officially confirmed the time that marketers have been waiting for. Smartphone ownership is now the majority. Feature phones are slowly being phased out in exchange for more advanced superphones. To put it another way: 1 in 2 Americans now own a smartphone.

What we know now about website design compared to a few years ago, is that more focus is given to user experience not owner experience. Seems obvious, right? Well this is easier said then done. You may say, "of course I care what my targeted audience wants" but your actions say "I'm spending a small fortune on my new brand and web presence, so I'm going to tell them what I want." You certainly have every right to think that, but if you want to achieve both, you're going to have to forget what you think you know about websites and listen to those who do. Users (and agencies like us ;) ).

Are iTunes, Pandora and turntable.fm so 2010? Like many around the world, I am a big user of iTunes and I have the premium version of Pandora. BUT, Spotify has given me immediate access to new music, with the opportunity to share with my friends. By now, is it safe to assume that we all have heard of Spotify?

Recently, I spoke at a Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Conference regarding web technologies and how advancements are changing the way professional services firms respond to the delivery of information needs to clients. Today, just realigning or “refreshing” your website, while helpful, may not be enough to stay competitive. When I reached the section on mobile websites (mobi) during my presentation, I was bombarded with questions regarding the difference between an app and a mobi, including.

Scenario: Your company is in a do-or-die situation. If it doesn’t have a web presence and can’t gain any kind of visibility, the possibility of your company going under increases significantly. You have been chosen to set off on a journey to save the company and are given three tools that will help you along your road to success: a large budget, access to PPC & SEO experts and a sword (just kidding…bad joke). There will be obstacles along the way: money constraints, content issues, fire breathing dragons and competition. The power is yours!

Your firm’s website is the single most important component to your firm’s marketing communications efforts. Period.

It’s the lynchpin on which all of your other mar/com efforts rest, it’s your “first impression”, your opportunity to communicate with targeted clients on a regular basis via blogs, and hopefully it supports your firm’s business development efforts.

An RPF contains many different types of questions. Recently, we were invited to submit a proposal to a firm and their RFP had many interesting and thought-provoking questions. However, there was one in particular that struck a chord with us: “In your opinion, what should be the lifespan of a website?”

Any branding agency knows that this is not an easy question to answer. Is it a trick question or does the firm truly want to know a distinct number for the lifespan of a website? Do you give a simple answer or do you give an answer and elaborate on your reasoning? 

I have been pretty “hot” on infographs as of late. As a visual learner, the graphical essence of an infograph helps, in many cases, illustrate an idea and/or a point. Not to mention it is a unique and interactive way to present information. I have seen many infographs, from research driven ones to ones that have a purely humorous angle with no education purpose at all. Yet, they are both considered infographs and both have a distinct purpose or objective.

Have you ever Googled yourself? There is no shame in admitting it. I have, and not because I am completely self-absorbed, self-centered or have a grandiose view of my own brilliance. I am just curious as to what information pops up when someone enters my name. What is it about me that stands out among all the other Lilli Ceasers in the world? (Of course there couldn’t possibly be any other Lilli Ceasers like me in the world. Right? Right!).