First message on the Internet - The technology behind the Internet began back in the 1960′s at MIT. The first message ever to be transmitted was LOG. Why? The user had attempted to type LOGIN, but the network crashed after the enormous load of data of the letter G.

How the Internet began. - The Internet began as a single page at the URL http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html, which contained information about this new-fangled “WorldWideWeb” project, and how you too could make a hypertext page full of wonderful hyperlinks. Sadly, the original page was never saved, but you can view it after 2 years of revisions here.

First Web-Cam - The first webcam was deployed at Cambridge University computer lab – its sole purpose to monitor a particular coffee maker and hence avoid wasted trips to an empty pot.

How BIG is the Internet? - Google estimates that the Internet today contains about 5 million terabytes of data (1TB = 1,000GB), and claims it has only indexed a paltry 0.04% of it all! You could fit the whole Internet on just 200 million Blu-Ray disks.

Why is Amazon so popular? - According to legend, Amazon became the number one shopping site because in the days before the invention of the search giant Google, Yahoo would list the sites in their directory alphabetically!

Read the news on the OCBA website.

Answer: Approximately 117 million… that’s 38% of the population.

Read on for more interesting statistics on mobile marketing in the U.S…

• 38% of Americans own a smartphone.
• U.S. smartphone users have an average of 35 apps installed.
• 13-17 year olds are the most likely to upgrade from the free to paid version of a smartphone app.
• Teens 13-17 are most likely to respond to a smartphone ad regardless of how it was served.
• Smartphone users spend 2/3 of their mobile phone time on apps.
• 38% of connected device owners looked up product info for an ad while watching TV on their smartphone or tablet.
• 27% of smartphone users looked up coupons or deals related to an ad they saw on their smartphone or tablet.
• Nearly all mobile Internet users visit portals.
• 77% of all mobile Internet users visit email sites.
• 44% of all mobile Internet users visit social networking sites.

Do any of these statistics surprise you?

Check out the stats on Social and Local to U.S. consumers for more interesting facts and figures.

Read on for more surprising facts and figures on local online marketing in the U.S…

• 18% of smartphone app downloaders used the Twitter app.
• 5% used the Yelp app.
• 5% used the Foursquare app.
• 39% used the Google Maps app.
• 58% used the Facebook app.
• Portland, OR has the highest rate of cross-platform behavior among adults 18-34.
• San Francisco has the highest concentration of smartphone owners in the U.S.
• 98% of U.S. consumers access social media at home.
• 27% of U.S. consumers access social media at work.
• 12% of U.S. consumers access social media in the car.
• 12% of U.S. consumers access social media in restaurants.
• 8% of U.S. consumers access social media in airports.
• 7% of U.S. consumers access social media at school.
• 45% of local deal visitors are very likely to recommend the daily deal site.
• Visits to coupon/rewards sites are up 11% since 2009.

Do any of these statistics surprise you?

Check out the stats on Social and Mobile marketing to U.S. consumers for more interesting facts and figures.

• 46% of U.S. consumers were influenced by standard web ads on social media sites.
• 51% of U.S. consumers were influenced by standard web ads on social media sites that show which of your friends like or followed the advertised brand.
• 48% of U.S. consumers were influenced by web ads on social media sites that appear as a news-feed update.
• 64% of parents use social media to learn about brands.
• Parents are 23% more likely than non-parents to use social media as a creative outlet.
• 18% of U.S. adults online post links to videos, articles and sites.
• 62% of U.S. adults online used their TV and Internet at the same time.
• Adult social networkers watch TV too! 55% movies, 47% comedies, 47% dramas, 33% food/cooking.

Do any of these statistics surprise you?

Check out the stats on Local and Mobile marketing to U.S. consumers for more interesting facts and figures.

The topic was “What Do We Need To Do To Survive The Internet Now & Into The Future?” and discussed the realities of how the changing Internet is affecting our lives. It also focused on the practical steps businesses need to take to get their message out and stay ahead over time.

Richard Finning, member of the South Orangetown Rotary said: “Kay’s power point presentation regarding marketing your firm or club on the internet was extremely informative as was the lively Q & A session afterwards. I’m sure we’ll all profit from her ideas. Thanks Kay!”

Sugar Websites are presenting to local businesses and organizations in the Hudson Valley region with an educational presentation on where the Internet is going and what businesses can do to keep up. To book Sugar Websites for your organization contact us toll free on 1.855.SUGARWEB(784-2793).

In the online world, making a great first impression is absolutely vital. While we may say that a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover, the reality is that any page of your website is judged by a visitor within less than a second.

Studies have also shown that a visitor will judge a business and make buying decisions based solely upon the look and feel of the company website. In that split second, they decide whether they trust you and believe you can provide them the information they are looking for.

A study by the Human-Oriented Technology Lab, Carleton University, Canada found that “Websites have 50 milliseconds to make a good first impression”. Click here to download a PDF of the original report.

With millions of other businesses just a click away, make sure your website does its job and turns visitors into customers rather than sends them to your competitors.

Essential First Impression Factors

An effective business website should immediately demonstrate the following factors on first impression:

• Clear website purpose… Is it clear what the website is for?
• Clear business purpose… Is it clear what products or services you are offering?
• Reflects uniqueness of brand… Do you stand out from your competitors?
• Professional image… Do you show the attention to detail in the presentation on your site that you provide your customers in your service?
• Key information ‘above the fold’… Is the most important information in the top half of your homepage?
  
• Indicates depth of site content… If you have useful content inside your site, is it obvious (i.e. linked) from your homepage?
• Credible company details… Are your contact details easy to find and trustworthy?
  
• Demonstrates expertise… Does the content show that you are an expert in your field?
  
• Third-party verification… Do you have any testimonials, awards or certifications on display to build trust?
  
• Speed of locating key information… Can visitors find what they need easily in as few clicks as possible?

Sugar Websites has custom-built a website review system that assesses small business websites against sixty important factors that impact effectiveness from a user’s perspective.

The sixty factors are grouped into seven categories, with First Impressions at #1 on the list:

1. First Impression
2. Navigation
3. Design
4. Content
5. Media
6. User Engagement
7. Technical

For more hints on how to improve your website, contact Sugar Websites for a FREE website review or view Sugar’s full list of Website Review Factors.

Think about it… How fast do you form an impression about a business at first glimpse of their website?

The topic was “What Do We Need To Do To Survive The Internet Now & Into The Future?” and discussed the realities of how the changing Internet is affecting our lives. It also focused on the practical steps businesses need to take to get their message out and stay ahead over time.

Patty Niosi, member of the Port Jervis Rotary said: “The presentation was very interesting. I think the club enjoyed the presentation as much as I did. It was very interesting to learn some of those things, especially about Google. At a later date if you’d like to come back and cover a different topic, that would nice!”

Sugar Websites are presenting to local businesses and organizations in the Hudson Valley region with an educational presentation on where the Internet is going and what businesses can do to keep up. To book Sugar Websites for your organization contact us toll free on 1.855.SUGARWEB(784-2793)

Amador Laput (Port Jervis Rotary, President) and Kay Rubacek (Sugar Websites)

“I wanted to enter into a higher-end market, it [my website] has given me more confidence and a professional image to do so,” said business owner, Paulio Shakespeare.

“My website is now more professional. After the new website launched, getting work is effortless and I get 95% of all jobs I apply for. I am getting responses within 20 mins to 2 hours.”

Shakespeare Productions are a New York-based digital video production company that creates high quality commercials and documentaries. The company has a well rounded team of audio and visual experts that are both highly qualified as well as easy to work with. Shakespeare Productions has done extensive work for businesses and also for television and film documentaries.

For more information visit Shakespeare Productions or to book a shoot for your company today call Paulio Shakespeare at 917.716.0623.

Formed in response to challenging social issues, like bullying, the program offers a proactive, theatrical approach to equip children with the ability to make positive decisions.

“We were honored to attend the premiere @ Orange Hall last night, and left the show with hope and inspiration. Let your message spread loud and clear! Thank you!” – Sugar Websites.

Orange County County Executive Edward Diana was also in attendance and spoke at the event. In a welcome letter for Letters to Daddy, he said “Together, we can rally the entire community to promote a culture of caring and kindness in Orange County.” (to read the full article, visit: http://lettertodaddy.com/Portals/1/pdf/EdDiana.pdf)

Letters to Daddy: The Musical Key to Bully Free http://lettertodaddy.com/Default.aspx

Kay Rubacek (Sugar Websites) and William Rodman (Letters to Daddy Executive Producer)