IT Investments: Measuring Your Businesses ROI

I came across a live roundtable webcast, Get Better Results from Your IT Investments, featuring speakers Rob Whitley, Sr. Analyst for Forrester Research and Matt Gowarty, Sr. Product Manager with Fluke Networks along with moderator Sandra Gittlen, Technology Editor from NetworkWorld.

The panel offers some interesting information:

In a 2007 survey done by Forrester Research, Inc., it seems IT objectives are coinciding with those of the business world. Instead of focusing solely on security, IT trends show companies focusing on improving disaster recovery, consolidating multiple programs and upgrading applications to keep up with the changing business demands; all aspects that prove to provide headaches for many business leaders.

Measuring your ROI for your IT needs may not be as hard as you think.

According to the panelists, there are 3 aspects in which to keep an eye out for:

Optimization – Update your site regularly to ensure consistent web traffic
Control – Know your security applications and how to manage them
Visibility: Measure and monitor your activity to see the results you yield

To find out more information on what value can IT investments can bring to your organization, how to increase increase productivity among co-workers and associates, benefits of consolidating multiple IT applications and providing necessary IT security for your business, Register Here to see a free presentation.

The New "American Idol" - Internet Style

A recent video from YouTube called “Chocolate Rain” by Tay Zonday is proof that the Internet is an impenetrable machine to be reckoned with.

A Minneapolis graduate student was able to generate 9.5 million hits and has received so much national attention that he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s “Internet Talent Search.”

One can argue the level of talent, but my point is to show the power of online resources.

You can check the video out here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NattlyH0IeM

Google Ranking Factors and The Organic PR Approach

Google Ranking Factors and The Organic Public Relations Approach

The average business person doesn't usually look at their "Google Ranking" as way to track their online success. In the Online Marketing Blog, Lee Odden tells us that there's a new study and he provides a concise lists of what’s important to rank well in the search engines. This is a must read.

What most marketers won't tell you is that you can also achieve positive search engine optimization without spending a ton of money. This is done through solid organic public relations efforts that take SEO practices into account. So, make sure you follow Lee Odden's advice when you post news on your website, when you add photos to your flickr account, when you add a slide show to your slide account and so on.

"Does Your Name Google Well"

According to Kevin J. Delaney of the Wall Street Journal, "You're a Nobody Unless Your Name Googles Well." This article tells all about how "Abigail L. Garvey Wilson Emerges From Obscurity and details the Millions of John Smiths. It's a must read for individuals and corporations alike who are trying to break through the clutter of digital media. When was the last time you Googled your company name or your own name?

SEO - Search Engine Optimization Measurement

There are so many ways to get your website noticed, yet SEO is an evolving science that calls for a strong knowledge of the marketplace. Today, I read several articles on SEO and how to measure your Web presence.

First, start with SEOMOZ.org. Click on the link in the green box that says "click here" then type in the URL that you want to search. How does your firm rank and do you know what that means?

Then, go to DMOZ.org and see if your site is listed. If not, find the right category and get your firm in there. Believe me, it helps. Every bit does.

You can also check out Spyfu.com. Enter your domain and get an idea of your overall visibility. Check out Alexa.com and find out more information. Then go to zippy.co.uk and get even more information.

One way to get your site notices is to serve as a contributor to Wikipedia. I haven't done this yet but I think I will soon start . . . .

Gina Rubel, Esq.
a.k.a. The PR Lawyer
Furia Rubel Communications, Inc.
http://www.furiarubel.com/