the GARAG3

Case Study: How Zappos achieved Social Media Success MyAdEngine

Nita Teoh — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:29:52 +0000

This post is syndicated from MyAdEngine's blog.

Zappos.com, the online retail giant, achieved annual revenue of over one billion last year. Part of the key to its success has been the amazing way in which it uses social media. As I write this article, Twitter tells me that Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos has over 1.7 million raving fans. It’s a staggering number of followers [...]

iPhone app update: 1.2 now available This post is syndicated from Gothere Blog's blog. Gothere Blog

junhan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:36:00 +0000

As promised last week, version 1.2 of the gothere.sg app is now available for download.

1. Shortcut to home screen

Probably the most requested feature in 1.2, the home screen shortcut! We've followed Facebook's lead (albeit hidden) and added a "return to home" shortcut whenever you tap on a title on the navigation bar. This is definitely not a standard Apple UI convention, but we felt that it was a quick solution for power users who needed to jump back to the home screen frequently.

In addition, tapping on the back button now skips past the directions screens, a source of frustration for many users who just wanted to search for new directions.

2. Options for departure time, minimise ERP and avoid highways

Advanced options for the power user. By setting the departure time, the directions will take into account details such as peak hour surcharges for taxi fares, and bus/train operating hours for public transport.

3. "Search nearby" added to place page

We've also added the ability to search for things around a location. You'll be able to search, for instance, florists nearby "AMK Hub", if you're in desperate need to find some flowers.

4. Compass in map view

Similar to maps.app, you can now use the compass while in the map screen. Just tap on the current location button twice to activate the compass.

*hat tip to @mugunthkumar for reminding us about this.

5. Updated carpark rates

Yeah, like finally right? We know a few folks who were pretty annoyed with our outdated carpark rates, but we're a small team and we try our best. Do cut us some slack, okay? :P

That's all we have for now. You can help us improve by telling us how you're using the app, and what isn't working out for you. As usual, feedback via twitter or email is welcome.

Have a great weekend ahead everyone!

Beyond Keywords: The Search for Engaging Content and a Meaningful Brand Experience MyAdEngine

Debbie Hemley — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:58:55 +0000

This post is syndicated from MyAdEngine's blog.

Publish. Post. Update. By now you can probably hear those words in your sleep. They’re akin to a social media mantra. But let’s say you’re ahead of the game. You created a content strategy with the optimal social media channels for your business. People are following. You have a schedule, and you even keep to it. You’re thinking this is a breeze. You don’t understand what people were complaining about when they said social media requires commitment. Then someone mentions engagement. They ask, are people engaging with your brand? Are they engaging with members of your departments onsite and offsite?

iPhone app update: 1.1 released, 1.2 submitted This post is syndicated from Gothere Blog's blog. Gothere Blog

junhan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:12:00 +0000

Hi all, version 1.1 of the gothere.sg app is now in the App Store!

Here's what's new with this update:

1. Retina display graphics, high resolution maps

When we got our hands on an iPhone 4 and saw our app for the first time, we knew we had to do something about those ugly pixels. Count yourself lucky, iPhone 4 owners!

2. Taxi booking

The dial button calls the LTA Common Taxi Number (6-DIAL-CAB), but you still need to tell the operator your location and destination. The SMS button composes a message to Comfort's SMS-A-CAB service, with your current location in a postal code.

3. Real-time bus arrival information

Thanks to Deepak's SBS NextBus, we now have bus arrival information for SBS buses. Just tap on a bus stop in the map to bring up the infowindow, and then tap on the bus number to see the next bus arrival times.

What's next?

We have just submitted version 1.2 to Apple for review. Judging by our experience so far, the new update should take about 7 to 8 days to get reviewed and approved!

Version 1.2 will include:

Tap on title to return to home screen (the much requested shortcut)
Search nearby, from the place page
Departure time options
Minimise ERP and avoid highway options
Compass in map view

We hope you've found the application useful so far. We're still working hard to improve the app, so if you have any feedback or need help with troubleshooting, please don't hesitate to drop us an email.

iPhone App update: 1.1 released, 1.2 submitted This post is syndicated from Gothere Blog's blog. Gothere Blog

junhan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:31:00 +0000

Hi all, just a quick update here. Version 1.1 of the gothere.sg app is now in the App Store. If you haven't purchased it yet, here's a quick run through what's new with this update:

1. Retina display and high resolution maps

The update that new iPhone 4 owners have been waiting for.

2. taxi booking (call or sms)

3. Real-time bus arrival information

Courtesy of Deepak.

At the same time, we've also submitted version 1.2 to Apple for review. Judging by our experience so far with the app review process, the new update should take about 7 to 8 days to get reviewed. So if everything goes according to plan, this update should be live sometime next week!

What's new in 1.2:

1. Tap on title to go back to home screen

We know this has been a long time coming.

2. Search nearby button on place pages

3. Departure time options

4. minimise ERP and avoid highway options

5. Compass mode

Understanding the Difference between Paid and Earned Media MyAdEngine

Nita Teoh — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:21:38 +0000

This post is syndicated from MyAdEngine's blog.

Most people are familiar with the concept of “paid media” or paid advertising. Online advertising can take many forms – on networks such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and via ads on devices such as mobile phones. In contrast, earned media, also known as free media, refers [...]

Idle visitors will be removed after 30mins This post is syndicated from Zopim Blog's blog. Zopim Blog

roystontay — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:49:00 +0000

We’ve always been big about reducing clutter and unnecessary information. Today we took another step in that direction by removing idle visitors from your visitor’s list. Here’s how it works:

If a visitor doesn’t show signs of mouse / keyboard activities after 10 minutes, he will be moved into the “Idle” list. By default our dashboard shows only ‘Active’ visitors. You can view all visitors (including Idle ones) by unchecking “Options > Show only actively surfing visitor” under the search bar.
After 30 minutes of inactivity, the visitor will then be removed from your visitor list. The chat widget on your visitor’s browser tab will be minimized.
After 2 happens, when a visitor returns to your page and performs any mouse / keyboard actions, he will be reconnected, and will appear in your visitor list again.

Simple huh? We look forward to any feedback you have regarding this new roll out. Cheers to a great weekend ahead!

Has Apple approved the gothere.sg iPhone app? This post is syndicated from Gothere Blog's blog. Gothere Blog

dominic — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:35:00 +0000

You bet they have! It's on sale right now. Get it fast! And just so you know, we are already hard at work adding some new nifty features to it. Visit the app store and find out more about the gothere.sg iPhone app!

Integrating Social Media & Search Engine Marketing Campaigns MyAdEngine

Debbie Hemley — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:28:24 +0000

This post is syndicated from MyAdEngine's blog.

Current trends in social media demonstrate that more businesses today are using social media and networking profiles to enhance their search engine campaigns. According to a recent report from MarketingSherpa, The Social Marketing ROAD Map Handbook, the true benefits of integrating social and search are increased clickthrough rates to the company website: more traffic, improved conversion in organic search and PPC, increased online sales, increased number of email addresses and more items added to online shopping carts.

iPhone Sneak Peek – Searching for places This post is syndicated from Gothere Blog's blog. Gothere Blog

junhan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:30:00 +0000

Here's another video, this time showing off how to find places with the app!