From the CEO + Archives
Google Changes Adwords, Benefits Dealer Ignition Users
by Steven Wagner on May 28th, 2009
Google Adwords Blog
Google announced last week that they were changing the trademark policy for its Adwords program.
Prior to June 15, trademarks that were not directly associated with the advertiser were not allowed. This made it a challenge for a dealer who even though they sold a product could not get their ads approved if they used the exact trademark. Here is Google’s official policy.
For Allstate Insurance, we were able to petition for each agent using Dealer Ignition. This took time and was quite frankly a hassle.
With the new trademark policy it will...
Read More »Would You Want to Work for Yourself?
by Steven Wagner on April 3rd, 2009
As a small business owner, recruiting is vital for our success. It challenges me and my team every day to identify the right people for the right jobs. But one thing that has struck is how many companies build an environment that rejects the right people.
Take for instance software companies. Some of the most important people are developers. Developers are part engineer and part artist. It is not a skill set that is easy to come by (hence H-1B Visa glut). A great developer may cost more in money and patience, but the quality of work is vastly superior. If you had two machines one that could double...
Read More »2009 Highlights of Future of Web Apps Miami
by Steven Wagner on March 3rd, 2009
So after trying to catch up after Future of Web Apps Miami, here are my highlights.
Day 1 – Workshops
Mike McDermett – Founder, CEO Freshbooks Building a Web App from A to Z
1. Don’t Build a Billing Function into Generation 1 – over 1/3 of the time people spend building their app is on a billing function. With Freshbooks, Google Checkout, Paypal, Shopify and other payment forms Mike should know.
Kristina Halvorsen, Brain Food, Copywriting for Web Apps
1. Develop a content inventory – build a strategy for adding content to your strategy.
Day 2 – Presentations
Joe Stump – Digg Senior Architect/Engineer – how to scale your development team
1. Use a code repository
2. Every developer must use their personal email address in their...
Read More »Headed to Miami (FOWA)
by Steven Wagner on February 22nd, 2009
We are headed to the Future of Web Apps Conference in Miami. If you are at the show and would like to meet please email or twitter us. Excited to hear:
Jason Fried, 37 Signals.
Mike Arrington, Techcrunch
Gary Vayernuck
Joel Spolsky,
Mike McDerment and
Ryan Carson.
Plus we get to hang with some family and enjoy the sun.
... Read More »2009: Online Marketing Generates the Highest ROI
by Steven Wagner on February 5th, 2009
The following graph is not very new to many experienced marketers. What is new is the distance by which paid search engine marketing has gaped the rest of the field.
The ad:tech/Marketing Sherpa survey may be a little biased since its readers area already into online marketing.
But think about how many small – medium sized businesses are NOT! This is why we created Dealer Ignition. To increase the overall effectiveness of online marketing and a much larger front then just one Brand’s campaign. Our Dealer Ignition service expands your brands reach without losing control or influence.
In late 2008, The Economist reported how many Business to Business...