Category Archives: Web Design

Data Dynamo: Unveiling the Supreme Database Titans of 2024

Database ERD

Navigating the labyrinth of technological advancement, particularly in the domain of databases, is not only pertinent but also profoundly engaging. As we step into the throes of 2024, the digital infrastructure of businesses is revolutionized by an array of databases, each a juggernaut in its own right. In this cosmos of data storage and retrieval, uncovering the top database technologies is crucial for tech executives and enthusiasts alike. Within this ensemble of digital titans, several database technologies rise to prominence as the pillars of data management. In this blog we meticulously compare and contrast the premier databases of the year to discern their unique strengths and areas of application. 

MySQL:

MySQL remains a top choice for reliability and cost-effectiveness, known for its ease of deployment and management. Its steadfast commitment to ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability) principles ensures the highest level of reliability, essential for modern enterprises.  MySQL’s extensive community support and compatibility with various operating systems make it an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes.

MySQL Database

Beyond these fundamentals, MySQL offers an array of fast-loading utilities accompanied by various memory caches, streamlining the maintenance and administration of servers. Its compatibility with an extensive list of programming languages, with a notable synergy with PHP, means that it can slide seamlessly into almost any technology stack. Moreover, performance is a front-runner, as MySQL delivers high-speed results without having to sacrifice any of its core functionalities.

MySQL, offered by Oracle, provides a balance between cost efficiency and performance. Pricing ranges from $2,140 to $6,420 for 1-4 socket servers and $4,280 to $12,840 for setups over five sockets. Its open-source nature under the GNU GPL enables free usage and customization. Explore MySQL at https://www.mysql.com/.

PostgreSQL:

PostgreSQL ensures Data Integrity with Primary Keys, Foreign Keys, Explicit Locks, Advisory Locks, and Exclusion Constraints. These features orchestrate data access, ensuring transaction consistency and fortifying the database’s resilience against anomalies. PostgreSQL excels in SQL features with Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC) for high throughput. It handles complex SQL queries, including full support for SQL Sub-selects, appealing to SQL aficionados. Streaming Replication ensures high availability and disaster recovery.

Postgre SQL

In stark contrast to many other database technologies, PostgreSQL stands as an emblem of community-driven innovation, provided free of charge. This enterprise-grade database system, while lacking a traditional price tag, does not skimp on capabilities, owing to its development and continued refinement to a dedicated cohort of volunteers and backing enterprises. It prides itself on complete freedom of use under the liberal open-source PostgreSQL License. To peek into the extensive world of PostgreSQL or to become part of its vibrant community, head over to https://www.postgresql.org/.

Microsoft SQL Server:

Microsoft SQL Server stands not just as a pillar in the realm of traditional RDBMS (Relational Database Management System Software) but also as an architect of the ever-expanding Big Data landscape. Harnessing its prowess, organizations can construct their elite Data Lakes, serving as grand repositories that amalgamate disparate data, structured or not, into a cohesive pool. This confluence of data empowers users to embark on insightful expeditions across their entire datasets, directly querying the vast lakes without the onerous need to move or replicate precious data.

In the name of security—a paramount concern in today’s data-driven universe—Microsoft SQL Server brings its A-game with cutting-edge tools for data classification, protection, and monitoring. It stands vigilant, constantly scanning for anomalies, and is a fortifying digital fortress with timely alerts on any suspicious activities, security gaps, or configuration errors.

SQL Database

Microsoft SQL Server’s graphical tool empowers users to design, create tables, and explore data without intricate syntax. It seamlessly integrates data from various sources via an extensive connector library. With new transformations in the SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Tabular Model, users gain advanced capabilities to manipulate and combine data.

Microsoft SQL Server offers diverse editions to suit various enterprise needs. The Enterprise edition is priced at $15,123, while the Standard edition offers options like per-core pricing ($3,945), server pricing ($989), and CAL option ($230). Volume licensing and hosting channels further influence pricing. Learn more at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2022-pricing.

MongoDB:

MongoDB’s architecture ensures that scaling to meet the demands of growing data is never an impediment. Thanks to its intrinsic scalability, it can flaunt clusters that burgeon past the hundred-node mark effortlessly, managing millions of documents without breaking a sweat. Its widespread adoption across a myriad of industries is a testament to MongoDB’s capability to handle expansive and intricate datasets. MongoDB ensures high availability through replica sets, guaranteeing uninterrupted service and data durability. In cases of hardware failure, it redistributes load across servers or duplicates data to maintain operational integrity, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Mongo DB

MongoDB, a prominent figure in the NoSQL landscape, provides a free entry point through MongoDB Atlas’s perpetual free tier. Celebrated for scalability and developer-friendliness, MongoDB remains a strong player in data management. Discover more at https://www.mongodb.com/pricing.

Oracle: 

Oracle’s resilience and data recovery features are vital for uninterrupted business operations. Real Application Clusters (RAC) ensure high availability by enabling multiple instances on different servers to access a single database. This fault-tolerant and scalable setup underscores Oracle’s commitment to continuous operation, even during server failures. 

Oracle’s service offerings cater to a wide array of demands, providing precise solutions for diverse business requirements. Starting with the Oracle Database Standard Edition, which offers essential features for typical workloads, users can scale up to the Enterprise Edition for more comprehensive capabilities. Additionally, Oracle provides specialized tiers such as the High Performance and Extreme Performance editions, designed to meet the demands of high-throughput and mission-critical environments. 

Oracle DB

Each tier is carefully crafted to deliver optimal performance and reliability, ensuring that businesses can effectively manage their data infrastructure. Furthermore, Oracle’s pricing structure accommodates varying usage scenarios, with options for flexible scaling based on virtual CPU (vCPU) usage. To review Oracles pricing structure click here

Remote Dictionary Server (Redis):

Redis shines in caching and in-memory data handling, offering unparalleled speed and versatility. Supporting various data structures like strings, lists, hashes, bitmaps, HyperLogLogs, and sets, Redis caters to the diverse needs of modern applications. Moreover, Redis seamlessly integrates with popular programming languages like Java, Python, PHP, C, C++, and C#, ensuring compatibility across different development environments and accelerating data-intensive operations.

Redis

Redis offers a dynamic ecosystem where free open-source frameworks coexist with commercial variants. While the community version is free, enterprise solutions like Redis Enterprise, with enhanced features and support, operate on a subscription model. Explore Redis offerings on their website.

Elasticsearch:

Elasticsearch represents the epitome of scalability seamlessly embraced in its design. Out-of-the-box distributed systems are the backbone of its architecture, enabling data to be reliably shared across multiple servers and nodes, hence bolstering higher availability and resilience in the face of demanding workloads.  This design decision is not just a matter of capability; it represents a promise of reliability, ensuring that as data volumes escalate, Elasticsearch stands prepared to accommodate the surge seamlessly. 

Elasticsearch, a prominent member of the NoSQL ecosystem, adopts a dual licensing model, offering users the choice between the Server Side Public License (SSPL) or the Elastic License. This flexibility allows organizations to select the licensing option that best fits their needs and compliance requirements. In addition to its licensing options, Elasticsearch introduces a unique billing system based on Elastic Consumption Units (ECUs), which aligns usage with expenditure. This innovative approach enables organizations to scale their Elasticsearch deployments elastically according to their requirements, without being bound by traditional fixed licensing models. To review Elasticseach’s pricing structure click here .

Oracle DB

Cassandra:

Cassandra excels in fine-tuning consistency levels for data operations, allowing developers to balance performance and accuracy. Its column-family data model adeptly handles semi-structured data, providing structure without compromising schema flexibility. With the Cassandra Query Language (CQL), which resembles SQL, transitioning from traditional databases is simplified. This, coupled with standard APIs, positions Cassandra as a scalable, reliable, and user-friendly database choice, lowering adoption barriers for tech teams.

Apache Cassandra, rapidly rising in the NoSQL landscape, is renowned for its free and open-source nature. For enterprise-grade support and features, commercial vendors offer options. Amazon Keyspaces (for Apache Cassandra) provides decentralized storage, billing $1.45 per million write request units and $0.29 per million read request units. Explore more at https://cassandra.apache.org/_/index.html.

MariaDB:

MariaDB stands out with advanced features like microsecond precision, crucial for time-sensitive applications, table elimination for optimized query processing, scalar subqueries for enhanced functionality, and parallel replication for faster database synchronization and analytics. Its compatibility with major cloud providers simplifies deployment and management in cloud infrastructures. MariaDB supports various storage engines, including Aria for crash safety, MyRocks for efficiency, and Spider for sharing across servers, offering flexibility and functionality for diverse data types and use cases.

MariaDB is a forerunner in the open-source database community maintaining  its allegiance to cost-effectiveness and robust efficiency. Ideal for newcomers to the AWS ecosystem, the Amazon RDS for MariaDB invites users with its introductory Free Tier – inclusive of substantive resources to pilot their database endeavors. For details on how to harness this SQL-driven database for your transformative projects, consult MariaDB’s central hub.

Database Total

IBM DB2:

DB2 is a trusted enterprise data server, facilitating seamless deployment across on-premises data centers and public/private clouds. Its flexibility enables organizations to adopt hybrid data management approaches aligned with operational needs and strategic goals. DB2 excels in data compression, featuring adaptive compression, value compression, and archive compression, significantly reducing storage footprints and costs. Administrative tasks are simplified with DB2’s self-tuning and self-optimizing features, driven by machine learning. This ensures optimal database performance with minimal intervention, reducing time and effort for routine maintenance and tuning.

IBM

IBM’s offering in the data management framework, DB2, acquaints users with its prowess through a complimentary trial on the IBM Cloud. This gesture extends to a no-strings-attached experience, with an available upgrade to a paid tier at USD 99 per month, comprehensive of full functionality and sweetened by USD 500 in credits. Questers of this high-caliber database solution can embark on their journey by navigating to  https://www.ibm.com/products/db2/pricing.

SQLite:

SQLite’s appeal lies in its simplicity and ease of use. It operates without a separate server process, complex installation, or administration. A complete SQL database is stored in a single cross-platform disk file, requiring no configuration, making it highly portable and ideal for simplicity-focused scenarios. Additionally, SQLite adheres broadly to SQL standards, supporting commands like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, making it familiar to developers accustomed to other SQL databases. Being in the public domain, SQLite can be freely used and distributed without any restrictions, fees, or royalties.

SQLite, remaining loyal to the public domain, provides all-inclusive accessibility to its database solutions, with no fees levied for any usage. As the quintessence of an easily embeddable, lightweight relational database engine, SQLite is the go-to for myriad applications across the globe, with Microsoft not just embracing, but actively integrating it. Encounter SQLite in its purest form at its principal domain: SQLite.

Data Lake

Amazon DynamoDB:

DynamoDB provides consistent single-digit millisecond response times for large-scale applications. Its architecture allows seamless, on-demand scaling without manual intervention, ensuring performance under varying demands. Multi-AZ deployments ensure high availability and fault tolerance, with fast failovers and data replication across three Availability Zones for accessibility and security. Native support for document and key-value data models optimizes performance for distinct access patterns, enhancing efficiency.

Amazon DynamoDB offers an attractive free tier with 25 GB of storage and 25 units each of Write and Read Capacity, sufficient for managing 200 million monthly requests. Its On-Demand billing charges $1.25 per million write request units and $0.25 per million read request units, allowing flexibility to scale with demand. Learn more from Amazon’s DynamoDB guide. To review Amazon DynamoDB’s pricing structure click https://aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/pricing/.

In Conclusion

While relational databases continue to shoulder the bulk of transactional workloads, NoSQL databases have adeptly found their place in handling the complexities of semi-structured and unstructured data. The choice of database, as always, is contingent on the specific needs and nuances of individual businesses. As we continue to delve into the big data era, it is not just the deployment of databases that is vital but also the synthesis of these technologies with wider business strategies.

The Top Web Development Languages Shaping the Digital Landscape Today

web browser URL

In today’s fast-paced world of web development, the selection of programming languages is crucial as it forms the cornerstone of creating robust, scalable, and feature-rich web applications. In this blog post, we will touch on the top web development languages that are used today, their effects, and some real-world examples.

Python: (Back-end)

Python, an open-source, back-end language, has gained immense popularity in 2023. Its hallmark lies in its readability and simplicity. Python supports an array of programming concepts, including object-oriented programming (OOP), functional programming, and structured programming. Coupled with extensive libraries and frameworks, Python emerges as a powerhouse for technologies such as Machine Learning, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence.

Python: Instagram – As a social media behemoth, Instagram demands an efficient, robust, and secure backend to manage vast user interactions, data storage mechanisms, and server-side functionalities. To meet this demand, Instagram turns to Django – a high-level Python web framework known for its scalability and power. Django serves as the backbone of Instagram’s server-side execution, ensuring smooth operability and flexibility.

Web Development

PHP: (Back-end)

As an open-source scripting language, PHP is renowned for its role in server-side execution and the creation of dynamic web pages. It integrates seamlessly with HTML scripts and tags, supports major databases like MySQL, and boasts in-built error reporting constants.

PHP: Facebook, Etsy, Slack, and Tumblr – Facebook originally developed PHP to maintain its server-side logic.  WordPress is also powered by PHP allowing compatibility with Apache and Linux making it versatile and widespread. Companies like Etsy, Slack, and Tumblr also utilize PHP for their backend development. Its quick development capabilities and extensive database support make it a suitable choice for small to large-scale web applications.

C#: (Back-end)

Microsoft’s C# is an object-oriented programming language, developed specifically for the .NET framework and Windows applications. Initially focused on Windows, it has expanded to Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. Known for game and mobile application development, C# boasts type-safety coding, scalability, robustness, and interoperability.

C#: Microsoft – Websites like Stack Overflow utilize C# for various web and software development projects. Its strong-typed nature, advanced debugging and error handling capabilities, and integration with the .NET framework make it an ideal choice for building secure, scalable, and stable web applications.

Website Development Languages

Ruby: (Back-end)

Ruby, a widely used object-oriented backend language, is often associated with the Rails framework, aptly named Ruby on Rails. Known for its dynamic features, Ruby supports dynamic and duck typing, making it one of the more flexible and dynamic languages out there today.

Ruby: Github, Version Control, Airbnb – Is used by companies like GitHub, and Airbnb. Ruby on Rails, a framework built for the Ruby language, aids in rapid web development with its conventions over configuration approach. Its easy-to-learn syntax, vast community support, and scalability make it a popular choice among startups and established companies alike.

HTML 5 and CSS3: (Front-end)

HTML 5 and CSS3 are the essential building blocks for creating visually appealing and responsive websites. HTML provides the structure, while CSS adds style and design elements to web pages. In combination, these two technologies enable developers to create engaging and user-friendly interfaces that work seamlessly across different devices.

HTML 5 and CSS3: Apple – Renowned for its minimalist aesthetics and user-friendly interfaces, Apple also utilizes the robust capabilities of HTML 5 and CSS3 in crafting its websites. This application of these languages lets Apple ensure a uniform design language across its various online platforms.

JavaScript: (Front-end)

JavaScript (JS) stands as a versatile language used for both frontend and backend web development. In 2023, it remains one of the top web development languages, facilitating the development of dynamic web elements and heightening user interactivity. JavaScript can validate user inputs, informing them about incorrect data and required fields in forms. It comes with predefined functions for handling date and time and can detect the user’s operating system and browser information. Modern features like arrow functions, template literals, and property shorthand further enhance its capabilities.

JavaScript: Facebook – The global social media giant, heavily depends on JavaScript for infusing dynamic and interactive attributes across its platform. From powering real-time updates in the news feed to instant messaging and complex video streaming capabilities – the role of JavaScript in Facebook’s platform can’t be overstated.

Website Coding

React JS: (Front-end)

React JS, maintained by Facebook and a community of individual developers, is an open-source JavaScript library for building user interfaces (UIs) quickly. Considered one of the best frontend languages in 2023, its hallmark features include reusable components, server-side rendering support with Next.js framework, virtual DOM manipulation for efficient page updates and smooth animations, and enhanced developer tools.

React JS: Netflix – The entertainment giant uses React JS on its platform due to its startup speed, runtime performance, and modularity. Its dynamic components and fast rendering make it a perfect fit for Netflix’s constantly updating content.

Angular: (Front-end)

Angular, a front-end, Model-View-Controller (MVC) framework that uses TypeScript as its programming language, is developed and maintained by Google. Angular is ideal for constructing intricate and single-page web applications. It employs DOM structure, updates the tree structure of HTML tags, and supports TypeScript, enhancing syntactic structure and codebase maintainability. Angular implements bi-directional data binding, allowing for dynamic updates between DOM states and UI elements. Furthermore, it integrates with testing frameworks like Jasmine and task-runners like Karma.

Angular: Microsoft – The tech heavyweight, adopts Angular for developing various applications, including parts of its Office 365 suite and other web services. The framework’s robust capabilities augment Microsoft’s offerings, ensuring smooth interactions and efficient navigation.

Web 3.0

VueJS: (Front-end)

VueJS, an open-source, beginner-friendly frontend language for single-page web applications, amalgamates features from both Angular and React, offering a flexible and accessible framework. VueJS uses virtual DOM, data binding, and event handling for seamless interactivity. It allows transitions to be applied to HTML elements and supports third-party animation libraries. VueJS also utilizes pre-built directives (e.g., v-else, v-if, v-show) for efficient frontend actions and provides a vue-router for routing purposes and watchers for managing data changes.

VueJS: Grammarly – Incorporates Vue.js in its web applications. This integration provides users with a seamless and interactive writing experience. It ensures effective real-time feedback and suggestions, fostering enhanced writing proficiency.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Obstacles involve dealing with language-specific vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, and scalability concerns. There’s a world of opportunities in the ongoing evolution of these languages, the emergence of new frameworks, and the growth of community support. Regular updates, libraries, and forums facilitate a language’s evolution and ease its integration with new technologies. With the right skills and an open mindset, developers can navigate through these challenges and capitalize on the opportunities presented by web programming languages.

Website Technologies

Future Possibilities :

The future of web programming languages is brimming with potential. The combining of languages with emerging technologies like blockchain, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things heralds new horizons for innovation. Moreover, the creation of efficient and scalable frameworks will keep influencing the future of web development. Developers need to stay current with industry trends and keep honing their skills to adapt to these changes and shape the future of web development. Overall, the future looks bright for these core web programming languages as they continue to evolve and play a vital role in driving digital transformation. 

Web programming languages are not just tools, but architects that shape the digital landscape. They are instrumental in driving innovation and enhancing the interactive nature of web applications, with industry leaders like Google and Facebook serving as prime examples. Understanding the impacts of each unique language and staying abreast with emerging technologies has become imperative for developers.

The future of the digital experience is being molded by both frontend and backend web development languages. Their unique advantages, coupled with an understanding of evolving technologies, enable developers to deliver robust, quality applications that meet the ever-growing user demands. As the digital transformation of industries progresses, these languages are poised to continue playing an undeniably central role. Conclusively, the choice of a web development language is a critical decision influenced by factors such as scalability, security, and specific application requirements. As the digital landscape evolves, these languages remain at the heart of it, driving forward innovation and opportunity in web application development.

Web3: The Next Step in the Internet’s Evolution

Web3 has become an increasingly popular buzzword in tech circles. While some are fervent believers in its potential to change the internet as we know it, others are skeptical it holds the future. Still others have no clue what it is—and rightfully so. Web3 entails a set of online principles with potentially mammoth ramifications, but one of the major questions surrounding it is how will these principles take hold? Web3 could manifest in a variety of ways.

This week, we delve into how it may change the internet as we know it.

WHAT IS WEB3?

To answer this question, first we’ll explain the Web1 and Web2.

Web1 is the original version of the internet—think of it as a read-only version. In 1991, HTML and URLs allow users to navigate between static pages. After the millennium, the internet starts to become interactive. User-generated content gradually takes hold via MySpace and eventually Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. This interactive version of the internet constitutes Web2, it’s a version of the internet in which users can both read and write via social media, Wikipedia, YouTube and more.

Tech conglomerates naturally turned Web2 into an era of centralization. Meta owns three of the four biggest social apps in the world. YouTube, the fourth biggest social network, is owned by Google, which accounts for around 90% of internet searches. Many question the ethics behind so much data in the hands of so few behemoths. Some have gone so far as to question whether the combination of big data and AI could diminish our capacity for free will, while other research shows that the targeted ad economy does not add much value and may in fact be a bubble.

In the face of these prescient concerns, the main thing that separates Web3 is the concept of decentralization.

DECENTRALIZED WEB

One of the main principles of Web3 is that it employs blockchain technology to decentralize data ownership and, in the words of Packy McCormick who helped popularize the term Web3, an “internet owned by the builders and users, orchestrated with tokens.”

The concept of digital decentralization gained massive traction since Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin using the blockchain in 2009. Cryptocurrency has since become a household name and blockchain technology is finding adoption in a multitude of ways.

In Web3, centralized corporate platforms will be replaced with open protocols and community run networks, enabling the open infrastructure of Web1 with the user-participation of Web2. Everything is decentralized using the blockchain. Decentralization means that a distributed ledger manages financial transactions rather than a single server.

When going to a major social network like Instagram, rather than giving their data away for free, users could monetize their data and receive cryptocurrency for creating interesting posts. Users could buy stakes in up-and-coming artists to become patrons in exchange for a percentage of their royalties. Axie Infinity is a popular Web3 video game which uses NFTs and Ethereum to reward users for achieving in-game objectives. Games with real-life rewards are known as Play to Earn or “P2E” games—a major new trend in game design. It follows the overall goal of Web3—to put power in the hands of users and creators rather than major corporations.

CRYPTOCURRENCY AND NFTS

Blockchain technologies enable an economy powered by NFTs and cryptocurrency. Users can use cryptocurrencies like Ethereum to purchase NFT versions of real-life moments, memes, emojis and more. For example, NBA: Top Shot was among the first NFT projects from a major brand. Fans could purchase “moments” in NBA history, such as Jordan’s famous shot in Game 5 of the 1989 NBA playoffs first round, and trade them as if they were trading cards. It creates a community for fans using digital assets.

The digital art contained within NFTs can be copied but original ownership cannot be duplicated. It’s similar to owning an original Picasso—other people may have copies of the same art, but there is only one original.

Bored Ape Yacht Club may be the most successful NFT project—offering access to real-life parties and online spaces in exchange for purchasing their NFTs.

Another blockchain-powered phenomenon is Decentralized Autonomous Organizations or DAOs. DAOs are organizations that raise and spend money, but all decisions are voted on by members and executed using rules encoded in the blockchain. Famously, a DAO recently raised $47 million in a failed attempt to buy a copy of the constitution.

WHAT TYPE OF WEB3 WILL EMERGE?

With so much up in the air, it’s unclear what type of Web3 will emerge. Although decentralization promises to diminish the power of major corporations, these conglomerates still hold such endless resources that it’s hard to imagine them not finding a way to capitalize and maintain relevance.

Remaking the web won’t happen overnight. There are still major technical and regulatory hurdles which need to be overcome before Web3 becomes the golden standard.

Although we can’t predict how all this will shake out and affect your daily online experience, one thing is for sure—the internet is evolving.

How Artificial Intelligence Has Revolutionized Digital Marketing

Last week, we explored the real power of Artificial Intelligence. AI’s ability to comprehend complex data sets and form patterns enables infinite new possibilities for personalization through the analysis of digital activity. Within the digital marketing industry, AI has been nothing short of a revolution. Here are the top ways in which Artificial Intelligence is impacting digital marketing:

NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a field that focuses on the ability for computers to process human language to the point where it can generate replies based on inferred meaning. Machine Learning has sharply increased the ability for machines to generate sentiments designed to not only seem as if they were written by a human, but that are optimized based on data to elicit a specific action or emotional response.

Digital marketers fret over when to reach out, what to say, and what channel is most appropriate. AI’s NLP abilities mean that the guessing game has come to an end. AI can analyze big data to decide upon what the best method, channel, and timing will be in order to foster growth, engagement, and sales.

NLP as a trend is on the rise. Angel.co recently valued the average NLP start-up at $4.8 million.

SEARCH FILTERING

In days of yore, Google search rankings were determined by human-created metrics and social media feeds showed posts in chronological order. Now, programs like RankBrain are vital to deciding the criteria for Google’s search rankings while Facebook’s DeepText creates your newsfeed.

ADVERTISING

Artificial Intelligence drives programmatic purchasing, which is when AI determines who to show ads to and when to show them. Removing the burden of purchasing analysis leaves marketers room to focus on crafting powerful messages.

NLP enables AI to understand (through numbers and sentiment analysis) the abstract criterion of “context” and to match individuals with ads based on context to maximize the chances of generating a click or purchase.

According to Ad Exchange, programmatic purchasing accounted for 67% of all global display ads in 2017.

PSYCHOGRAPHIC PROFILES

Perhaps the most anxiety-inducing example of Artificial Intelligence impacts not only digital marketing, but politics.

Psychographic profiles are data-driven psychological profiles of consumers designed to shed light on why they do what they do. Firms like CaliberMind and Cambridge Analytica have turned this into a multi-million dollar industry. Insights gleaned from psychographic profiles are intended to optimize the messaging of both political and commercial ads to induce a desired action from the viewer.

Cambridge Analytica has taken credit for influencing both the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election; however, many (including the New York Times) cast a shadow of doubt over the extent of their impact. Regardless, as long as there are insights to be gleaned from digital activity, psychographic profiles will only continue to develop.

SELF-DESIGNING WEBSITES

That’s right, AI has become adept enough to design websites based on data. Wix ADI created this personal trainer’s website and Grid has been designing websites since 2014.

CONCLUSION

Every application of artificial intelligence in digital marketing is relatively new. While these applications are increasing in popularity, expect them to also increase in efficiency and effectiveness as technology continuously advances.

SEO Pro Tips: Best Practices for Meta Descriptions

Last week, we explored the art of perfecting title tags for SEO dominance. This week, we’ll explore another vital meta tag: the meta description.

The meta description is the text that appears below the link in SERPs, as below:

via Word Stream

Meta descriptions should be about 135 – 160 characters long, although Google has tested longer snippets. Any time quotes are used in the meta description, Google cuts the text off. To prevent meta descriptions from being cut off, it’s best to remove all non-alphanumeric characters.

Google uses meta descriptions to pull preview snippets on SERPs and return results when searchers use advanced search operators to match meta tag content, but unlike title tags, meta descriptions do not directly influence Google’s ranking algorithms for normal web search since meta description keywords are not ranked.

While meta descriptions do not directly affect SEO, they do indirectly impact it. The prominence of meta descriptions in SERPs makes them a very valuable UX component and a tool for enticing searchers. While keywords do not affect ranking, they are bolded in the meta-description, which attracts the eye and can help influence a searcher’s decision to click. Thus the use of keywords in meta descriptions can be beneficial to increasing Click Through Rate (CTR). The Click-Through-Rate is the ratio of searchers who click on a page compared to how many searchers see it. CTR is highly valued in search rankings. Since meta descriptions are one of the first things that a searcher will see, they can influence them to click, increasing CTR and boosting SEO.

The ideal meta description articulates the value proposition which a company or web page offers in a precise way while taking into consideration the competition that the page is up against in SERPs. It assumes an active voice and includes a call to action. Web developers can enrich a meta description by using schema markups like star ratings, customer ratings, or product information, to increase the appeal. See below for example:

Image via Google Support

Sometimes meta descriptions are unnecessary. Moz advises if a page is targeting between one and three high volume search terms or phrases, it’s best to write a meta description targeting users performing those searches. If the web page is targeting long-tail traffic (three or more keywords, like a blog with hundreds of entries), it may be best to let the search engines extract the relevant text from the site since they will pull text specifically targeting the user’s search. A blog might be targeting one audience in their keywords, but have content on so many topics, they can be found through any number of search terms. A meta description specified for a page with a lot of content may detract from the relevance that the search engine can create organically by pulling a text description from the page which is relevant to the specific search.

Like title tags, repeating meta descriptions or making them incomprehensible will result in penalization from Google. Meta descriptions can be tricky since they are longer and a bad meta description can be worse than none at all. With the right title tags and website content, meta descriptions can be a major UX tool to drive traffic to a web page.

SEO Pro Tips: Perfecting the Title Tag

Over 100 billion searches per month are made on Google worldwide. Search Engine Optimization (or SEO) has become one of the top marketing disciplines for anyone trying to drive web page traffic and digital revenue.

Title tags are one of the most important facets of SEO. Title tags are the titles of web pages that display in search engine results pages (SERPs) and as the clickable headline for a given result. They are the most obvious element in a search result and are pulled to the forefront of SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages). They display as below:

via BecomeGeek.com

Social networks use title tags to determine what to display in the link preview when you share a page:

Via Search Engine Watch

Title tags are extremely important for SEO, social sharing, and UX. They are one of the major on-page SEO elements. Keywords in title tags will factor heavily into a web page’s rank in any keyword-based search query.

Below find some of the best practices for crafting the perfect title tag.

KEYWORD EFFECTIVELY: Since title tags have a direct affect on SEO, effective keywording is crucial. Putting important keywords in the front of the title tag will increase SEO rankings, while keywords and search phrases at the end of the title tag will be less of a factor. For this very reason, it is best to put a company or website name at the end of the title tag, unless that name is an important keyword phrase. Keyword stuffing, or overloading keywords without making sense, will result in penalization. Ultimately, keywording effectively means writing clearly to an intended audience while factoring in important search phrases.

OPTIMIZING LENGTH: Title tags are not measured by length, but by a 600-pixel limit. Pixels do not equate to characters since certain letters require more pixels to compose than others. 600 pixels generally equate to about 50-60 characters. Measuring pixels can be made easy with this pixel length measurement tool by Search Wilderness.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH: Statistics show 48% of marketers worldwide identified keyword/phrase research as the most effective SEO tactic. Effective research means honing in on your audience and enacting relevant keyword searches to observe the organic search competition. It is also important to note the inorganic competition: promoted ads for web pages that are boosted to the top of searches by Google AdWords.

Having a solid understanding of what a web page is up against in search engines helps web developers optimize their pages to stand out in the face of the competition. Since the competition and search rankings are constantly changing, research is an ongoing process. 34% of marketers cite frequent website updates as a key to their success.

PIPES “|”: Pipes can be used to punctuate and divide sentiments while minimizing punctuation and word count. See below for an example:

As with any copywriting, writing for an audience is crucial. Since the Title Tag is often the first thing a search user will see about your website, it is ultimately very important that it clearly communicates the subject of the web page and entices the intended searcher. Effective title tags are the first step on the way to SEO dominance.

Stay tuned for next time when we explore how to write an effective meta description!

Mobile Website or Mobile App: What Should I Build?

Mobile commerce will reach approximately $142 billion in 2016 according to Mobile Commerce Daily. Promoting business through mobile platforms has become an essential part of many IT and marketing departments worldwide. Mobile phones allow businesses the opportunity to share information about their store, such as hours and nearest location, as well as offer exclusive deals through branded apps as well as third-party apps like Yelp & GroupOn.

The necessity of a mobile presence is evident. When developing for the mobile platform, one has the choice between building a mobile website or a mobile app as the avenue of preference. Obviously developing for both platforms is ideal, but it’s important to realize the strengths of each platform when developing a mobile strategy. Many businesses don’t take into account the importance of the mobile web when it comes to driving revenue.

If you read Cashing Out the Smartphone, you know that while 85% of time spent on mobile devices occurs in apps, 80% of that time is spent on the user’s top 3 apps, a web browser often being one of them. 82% of smartphone users reference their phones when deciding what to buy. When it comes to eCommerce, mobile websites drive twice as much traffic as mobile apps.

Thus, while mobile apps are more expansive, mobile websites are in many ways more important to retailers. Utilizing both in tandem and playing to each platform’s strengths will maximize mobile presence to bring in revenue. Here are the top factors to weigh when deciding between building a mobile website or a mobile app:

DISCOVERABILITY

Due to the omniscience of Google, mobile websites are much more discoverable than mobile apps. Although it is good to have a presence in the app stores, it’s often more important to be discoverable on the web since the web is where the majority of customers go to find information. Mobile websites share a common publication format, making them almost universally accessible across smart devices. As we detailed in our article on Responsive Design & SEO, optimizing a website for mobile is not only a vital SEO practice, it also lowers the price of keywords in Google Adwords.

IMMEDIACY

The immediacy of mobile websites make them an asset to companies looking to disperse information about their products. Mobile websites can be found from any smart device with a single Google search. Mobile websites are quick, easy to find, and direct to the point. Mobile apps, on the other hand, require the user to go to the app store, search, download the app, then often sign up for an account. The distance between initial engagement and action/conversion depletes the chances of a mobile app acquiring new customers without a clever strategy, while mobile websites are more likely to pique new customer interests.

Many retailers have turned to mobile apps to manage loyalty points and increase customer retention through exclusive discounts.

Here are some popular third-party apps for increasing customer loyalty:

Shopkick: Shopkick offers customers rewards the moment they walk into a store. It is the most-used US shopping app connecting shoppers to retailers.

Belly: Belly is a digital loyalty rewards program which serves over 12,000 businesses and has more than 6 million members across the US.

COMPLEXITY

While mobile websites are great for dispersing information, apps typically can do much more. Native apps are designed specifically for a device and OS, thus ensures maximum performance. With mobile commerce on the rise, apps can help make the check-out process seamless. The process of approval required by the app stores assures users that any given mobile apps will be safe and secure. The complexity of mobile apps also makes maintenance more expensive.

Mobile websites are easier and less-expensive to maintain since they have a common code across platforms. Developers can release and update without worrying about being approved by the app marketplace. Mobile websites can only utilize a limited scope of a given mobile device’s features, although mobile browsers are in the process of getting more powerful and enabling more power over the device.

COST

Mobile websites are less expensive to develop and maintain since they use common code across devices. While cross-platform app development tools ensure a cheaper way to make an app usable across Android, iOS, and other operating systems and devices, they also can dilute the functionality.

In our opinion, it’s often better to start with a mobile website which disperses necessary information and calls attention to the business before creating a mobile app to supplement with additional functionality.

Any given business or organization has unique needs which must be attended to when establishing a mobile presence. Experienced web and app developers should ask the questions which get to the root of what is needed and can design creative solutions which maximize functionality for any given platform in accordance with the project budget. Be it through a mobile website or a mobile app, the mobile platform allows for any number of possibilities which can make any business more efficient, attractive, and profitable.

Rise to the Top of Google SEO with Responsive Design

When designing a website, web developers have both practical and aesthetic concerns. From a practical standpoint, a website must reach and connect with its core audience. Due to the rise of mobile technology, it’s important for a site to have mobile functionality so that it can reach the multitudes surfing the web on their mobile devices. The most efficient, cost-effective & effective way is to develop a responsive website. Responsive design not only helps reach a mobile audience, it also increases overall SEO so that the website will rank higher in search engines.

For those unfamiliar with responsive design, check out this quick 60-second review:

When it comes to SEO, Google is king. As of October 2015, studies show the massive tech titan owns about 63.9% of the search engine market share. In February 2015, Google announced they will be emphasizing mobile-friendly search results. In their own words: “Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal.”

In accordance with their announcement, Google Adwords charges less for a keyword when the landing page is optimized for mobile. Responsive websites represent a major incentive for advertising on Google since responsive design guarantees presentation will accommodate the device regardless of whether it’s a mobile device or a computer.

Responsively designed sites offer a common landing page for all devices, consolidating the amount of links and improving the SEO. If a desktop or laptop user iMessages the link to an iPhone, they can click on it and immediately prompt the same web page rather than a different page optimized for mobile. Instead of duplicating content with separate sites for mobile and desktop mediums, responsive design ensures brand and information continuity with a singular master site.

According to Sociomantic, over half of online shoppers use more than one device. A responsive website not only ensures a consistent UI and brand experience, it eliminates maintenance cost by reducing the amount of websites one is required to maintain. The better a site is, the lower the bounce rate is, and the higher it will rank in Google. For businesses looking to succeed, responsive is almost always the best form of web design.

Mystic Media is a web design and application development company based in Salt Lake City, Utah and specializes in responsive design. For more information, click here or contact us by phone at 801.994.6815.

Facebook Champions Material Design: Why You Should Too

In the past year, material design has been rising in prominence as both an app and a web design aesthetic. As we’ve detailed in our past article How Material Design Redefined Android App Aesthetics, Material Design has the potential to catch on in a major way.  In this post, we take a look at the bright future ahead for the platform.

Facebook recently began testing a Material Design overhaul of their Android app. Additions include a floating action button commonly found on Lollipop apps. The design on the whole has a more cohesive digital world adhering to Material Design principals.

“Not only does the app look better, but it’s also going to make the app easier to use for Lollipop users who are now becoming accustomed to that floating action button.” Writes Killian Bell of Techno Buffalo.

Check out this picture of the Beta app (via Techno Buffalo)

Material Design Facebook

If Facebook’s Material Design app looks slick. If it proves to be functionally efficient, it’s reasonable to assume they could utilize some of the same design techniques to update their iOS app.

Facebook’s Android app redesign is reminiscent of the Gmail Inbox app. Considered one of the premier Material Design apps on the market, Inbox was developed by Google and provides a perfect showcase for Material Design aesthetics. Depth plays a major role in all the gestures. When the user swipes an email to mark it done, it reveals a green checkmark underneath the top layer as the email disappears off screen.

Check out his awesome promo video by Google which explains how Inbox works:

Inbox was created to manage mass volumes of emails. Larry Dignan over at ZDNet reviewed Inbox by forwarding his 700 or so work emails per day to the app to see how it handled organizing bulk emails. Inbox passed the test, allowing the user to create bundles of emails in order to better organize incoming messages.

With futurists predicting the downfall of email, the question becomes: Could the same Material Design techniques which the Inbox app uses to organize bulk emails and save screen space be applied to an encompassing Facebook social feed which replaces email?

The main problem inhibiting Material Design from catching on in a major way for the Android platform is device fragmentation. As of March, only 3.3% of Android devices are running the latest OS: Lollipop. 40% of Android devices are running KitKat and 20% are still using Jelly Bean.

Despite the obstacle of device fragmentation, as the next Android OS is released, Lollipop and Material Design are sure to become more and more prevalent. What makes Material Design so crucial is its role in connecting the Android device ecosystem. With more and more devices coming into the fray, Apple has been doing their part to push for Device Continuity, allowing for seamless transition between devices. Android may have to battle to overcome device fragmentation, but as Material Design gains momentum, their hardware and software will at least have aesthetic continuity.

The future of Material Design extends beyond the smartphone and the tablet. With the wearable revolution impending upon Apple Watch’s April 24th release date, it’s reasonable to assume Material Design will find outlets beyond traditional mobile devices as Android increases it’s wearable repertoire. If Google Glass had lasted, no doubt it would have utilized Material Design in its updates. Regardless, Android has several products in the pipeline that are sure to boast Material Design, including Android TV and Android Auto.

For now, Material Design is an Android-exclusive technique still vying for mainstream adoption. However, Facebook’s adoption of the design technique for their upcoming Android app is a good sign. As we look to a device-interconnected world, it seems inevitable the principles of Material Design will continue to evolve and shape the future of Android design aesthetics, and potentially expand to influence web and iOS aesthetics as well.

At Mystic Media, we’re constantly engaged in various app design projects. Our expertise reaches across all facets of the industry, be it iOS designAndroid designweb designstrategic marketing and more. Contact us today by clicking here or by phone at 801.994.6815

5 Trendy Web Design Techniques to Modernize Your Website

In the age of digital commerce, it’s vital to have a spiffy website. Even if a business does sell its products online, the first impression customers have of a brand often stems from the website. A messy website brings to mind a messy product. In this post, we will examine how 2015’s upcoming web design trends present ways in which to improve websites to make them look modern.

1.    Nail Your Landing Page

The landing page is the first impression a visitor has of a website, thus it’s a great opportunity to dazzle the viewer. Many websites have landing pages which are not only physically big, with imagery and design taking up most of the screen, but also large in metaphorical scale. Check out the website of Born Group, a creative media company with an extremely ambitious landing page.

Born sells something intangible—creative services. Their product is the ability to provoke emotion. As a creative agency, it’s vital for them to establish that they produce emotionally riveting content. The image of the ape is not only beautifully photographed, it’s powerful. If a prospective customer were on the verge of hiring Born Group, they would indubitably be swayed in the right direction from the moment they hit the landing page.

2.    Video Rules

For some companies, going for a message as big as Born would come off as overly self-involved. Born has an intangible product and sells B2B (Business-to-Business). They need to sell an idea and if they bring in a single project, it will pay for a big-budget investment in their site.

For smaller companies with tangible products, it’s important to put the product itself front-and-center. One way of doing this is to embed a video on the landing page of your site. For example, check out the salivating video on the landing page of Dunwell Donuts, a vegan Brooklyn donut shop.

The video succeeds on nearly every level. It makes the viewer crave donuts, artfully portrays the product, and tells the story of the founders of the business in an extremely intimate manner.

3.    Tell Your Story

The primary accomplishment of the Dunwell video is in the arena of storytelling. The Dunwell video tells the story of the company brand in an intimate way. By the end of the video, the viewer feels like they have a good sense of who runs Dunwell Donuts and what donuts mean to them.

A video is a cost-effective way of telling the personal story of a brand. Storytelling is a powerful medium because it creates an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject when executed effectively. For a business (especially a small business), this translates directly to brand loyalty. We’ve detailed other ways in which one can tell the personal story of a brand in our Parallax Scrolling article.

4.    Flat Design

Minimal web design is in. Apple’s design technique, flat design, is defined as “a style of interface design which removes any stylistic choices that give the illusion of three-dimensions (such as drop shadows, gradients, textures, or other tools that add depth) and is focused on a minimalist use of simple elements, typography and flat colors.”

Flat design is visually sleek and virtually inexpensive way of displaying one’s brand in a modern way. Check out some of the best flat design websites on the internet here.

5.    KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

A really well-designed landing page with minimal content looks much better than a lot of redundant, visually lacking pages. For an alternate approach to the donut vertical, check out the site for Elsie’s Donut Shop. It’s flat, minimal, sleek and to the point, stressing the products.

With the internet working more and more as a gatekeeper for customers to select which businesses they choose to solicit, modern aesthetics have a direct impact on business. Equipping a business with a sleek, modernized website puts them in the best position to excel in the marketplace.

Mystic Media is a web design and application development company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, click here or contact us by phone at 801.994.6815.