Google’s new look

So I am wondering around on Google today, at approximately 4pm cst,  and from one screen to the next Google changes. I couldn’t tell what the difference was right away, but if you use Google often any changes are sure to be noticed. I looked at the logo first. I thought.. that looks different. Indeed it was.

This new logo looks great. Kudos to who ever cleaned it up. With the two side by side it looks like the old one was hanging out in the smokers lounge. The new logo has less of a drop shadow, brighter colors and less of a bevel. Seeing the new logo makes the other one look so wrong. I think that is the sign of a good logo refresh. It should be obvious that this is a good move. To the point where you wonder , how did we ever put up with that old logo.

The logo is not the only thing that has changed. There is now a group of icons to the left that had originally been and still are at the top. However in the past they where only text links. Now there are these snazzy icons. This is most likely to help new or inexperienced users to find the other great things that google offers.

Beyond  the logo and the new added icons there is the new bottom that is the same idea as the old one just cleaner brighter color.

So what do you think of the new look. Let me know in the comments.

Update

As of just recently the new logo from google has disappeared. It looks as though they have gone back to the old logo and done away with the icons on the left. This may have been a beta test of the new google logo and icons. Or just a random glimpse at a better logo just to be taken away as quickly as it came.

Are you seeing the new logo still?

Facebook Fan Page for your Business HOWTO

This video is on youtube and is easier to see in HD. Leave your questions in the comments section.

Websites Fight. How will your site do?

Have you ever wondered if websites could fight who would win. Well I found this nifty tool today that I thought you might like. It lets you compare two sites and see which one has what it takes in the world of Search Engine Optimization. Try comparing your site with you competitors site. If your site isn’t holding its own than maybe we should talk.

Be sure to let me know how the fight goes in the comments. And if you like it please Retweet.

click here SEO challenge

Website Opportunity in Nashville

Courtesy of Driving in Heels - Flicker Creative Commons

This economic slump has made people wake up and realize that not having a website is just not ok anymore. There are huge opportunities waiting for companies that will make the investment. The days of setting back and watching the business come through the front door are over. The question now is do I want to spend money on a website and hope that in will generate some income or continue to rely on my yellow page ad.

The answer is get a website. If you don’t have a presence on the web what are waiting for. Do it now. The web is where people go to find a product or service to purchase. Most people that have a computer and the internet search online first  If they can not find it there they may look in the yellow pages. The fact is that being in the yellow pages may be good, but if all the competition is there as well it will just be that much more difficult to get the business. And does that ad really let you sale yourself like a website could.

I think that the web is a huge opportunity for service related business like roofers, plumbers, and air conditioning companies. They have typically flooded the yellow pages because it was easy. However I am surprised at the low number of those businesses that also invest in their website. If people look on the web first you should be out there to be found. Especially since there is less local competition in those areas. Don’t get me wrong their is opportunity in the phone book but there is less local competition on the web.

For example. I live in Springfield, TN. When searching on Google there is not one local plumber with a website. There is no local competition. However if you look in the phone book. They all have an ad.

Where do you look first for a company? The phone book or the web? Let me know in the comments.