Alt Attribute & Search engine optimization

SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is really a critical step that is often overlooked. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise the use of alternative text for that images on your web site:

Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to achieve that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They can't see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it once was.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings will not benefit from this tactic.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what is displayed on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.

Imagine hearing a paragraph of text which is followed by repetitions of numerous keywords. The page would be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute should not be used as a description or a label for an image, though lots of people utilize it in that fashion. Although it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!

What used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose the image would.

The goal is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Ask yourself this: Should you replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it generate the same response?
A few examples:

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If a search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If the image is supposed to convey the literal contents of the image, a description is suitable.

If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.

If it is meant to convey the use of a function, then your function is what should be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility as well as for valid XHTML.

For images that play merely a decorative role in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering things like "spacer image".

Remember that it is the function of the image we are attempting to convey. For example; any button images should not include the word "button" within the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.

Alt text should be based on context. The same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.

Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder from the text because that's how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone hearing your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that using an alt attribute for each image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. They are also necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.

It is important to categorize non-text content into three levels:

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there may be value to a sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that will enhance the usability of the site for someone utilizing a non-visual user agent. Use a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.

II. Mood-Setting

This is actually the middle layer of graphics which may actually set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics are not direct content and may 't be considered essential, but they're important in they help frame what is going on.

Try to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be times when doing so may be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then avoid it.

For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's important to understand this content inside for all users.

Most times it depends on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. How you go in this case is a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is when the image is the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be in order.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the pictures are there. You have to determined exactly what function a picture serves. Think about what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic includes a reason behind being on that page: because it either enhances the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is critical to what the page is attempting to explain. Understanding what the look is perfect for makes alt text easier to write. And practice writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they're invisible and never shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received through the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So use the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the Link to a complete description of an image. When the information contained in a picture is essential towards the concept of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It may offer rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.

It ought to be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of an image...The aim is to use any length of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.

It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the image - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."

Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

In many cases, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't add that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the entire page to work, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a lot about the function of the image and it is context about the page.

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, but not in another. If an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images might be appropriate to make use of. But if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and maybe even a long description will be in order. In many cases this kind of thing is a judgement call.

Image Seo optimization Tips

Listed below are key stages in optimizing images:

Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens within the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores like a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For example, when the image search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;

Ensure that the text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great chance to help your website together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to rank better on all of the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.

Search Engine Optimization

Gather close, dear friends and hear my words of warning. Gird yourself, for my tale would make any enlightened man or woman stagger back in disbelief. I do not share such news with you lightly. It is not my errand to harm or discomfort your mental or psychological wellbeing.

Resist the urge to sever the very Internet connection with which you receive my message. I shall soon relieve your stress with a simple technique that will counter the malevolence that I describe.

I reveal my knowledge only because you may in fact be a person possessing an enterprising mind. If this is true, I know you will see in my tale of woe and tragedy the shadow of immense opportunity.

My Tale

I have, in my professional pursuits been privy to the plans of many a starry-eyed business person. So eager are they to tap the keg of the Web that they have made themselves drunk with anticipation, even before a single sip of the digital elixir has crossed their lips.

They are handy with their search tools, clever in their keywords and pen pay-per-click ads that seem to dance upon the page.

It is all for naught, for the heady traffic pours into vessels so riddled with hole and crack, that from this torrent these businesses can scarcely moisten their lips. The websites to which they deliver their click-through treasure fail in their basic duty of capturing and converting the bounty.

And so, they make changes. They replace the ineffective cup with a bowl and then a pitcher and then a saucer, each equally as impotent; each delivering little sustenance to them.

Take your kerchief now from your pocket, dear friend, for my tale will bring tears to your eyes.

In their quest to find the proper vessel these misguided souls fail to see the true opportunity. It is as if they are blind, and yeah, they truly are.

They stick their inferior containers out into the flood and clinch their eyes tightly closed as if looking upon something abominable. Thus, they see only the result, and not the cause of their famine.

But lift your head now and let the brightness of joy return to your face, for I can tell you now that you need not suffer as they do.

The True Opportunity

The core of the matter is this: the opportunity lies not in the container, but in the holes and cracks.

Yes, each little imperfection offers up a chance to be corrected, each tiny fault a hope of repair. And when enough of these imperfections are discovered our cups will fill with abundance on which our businesses will become sated.

Do not dismiss me now expecting tales of split tests and multivariate monstrosities, for I offer a much simpler way of stripping the blindfold from your eyes.

I offer you: the Serial Test.

Behold, The Serial Test

I chuckle now as I think of the simplicity and power of this trick. It begins with the ability to measure traffic and track the very leads and sales that sustain you.

You may choose Google Analytics or Clicky for its simplicity. Enterprises may prefer Omniture or Webtrends. It is of little consequence to me.

It is only important that you be able to gauge the level in your cup as compared to the visits flowing into it.

Seek not absolute accuracy, but seek instead consistency of measure and no more.

Tread lightly! You must bring change in small steps, patiently and purposefully. Seek to join a crack or fill a hole.

Change a headline, reduce the number of fields in your form or add trust-building symbols to the page. Change but one thing at a time.

Accompany each change with a hypothesis, a thesis for what you expect the change to do for you. Most of the time, your hypothesis will simply be this:

“This change will increase the percentage of visitors who take action; who convert to a lead or a sale as measured by ___________.”

You must fill the blank, my friend.

Will you measure calls you receive from the Web? Will you measure completed forms? Will you measure revenue per click? It is up to you.

All I ask is that you choose a measure for which you know the current value and that will reliably rise or fall as your fortunes change.

Test Duration

Hold fast! Do not rush off to ogle your analytics, for we must first discuss statistical significance. Do not be disheartened. This term, though bulging with syllables simply means that you must let enough time pass before you review the results of your change.

There are ebbs and flows within even a calendar week that must be considered. I say you shall let no less than a week pass before you evaluate any change. This assumes a heady stream of traffic.

To ensure validity, you should let enough time pass for 100 conversions to occur or for thousands of eyes fall upon your change before you harvest your learnings.

Measure your current page, which we call the control for an appropriate amount of time. Then measure the changed page, which we call the treatment for such a time as well. Then will you be ready to glean insights that will fill your cup.

In many cases you will find a difference between the two. The treatment will offer an increase or decrease over the performance of its brother. But, don’t rush to the conclusion, for if the change is small, it is wholly invalid.

Only Big Differences Count

Do not think me foul that I must reveal that a serial test does not control for natural changes in the marketplace. Just as the temperature fluctuates from season to season, so too will your conversion rates and independently of changes to your site.

Therefore stake your decisions on large changes. If your treatment causes a drop of 20% or more, you can be comforted that it is an inferior vessel. Cast it aside and restore the control. This is truly an honorable result!

If your treatment brings a bounty of 20% or more in increased conversions, rejoice. You have found a new control.

Otherwise, retain your control and try something anew.

Repeat & Grow

Tarry but a moment, dear reader, as you must prepare for the next test. Choose another change. Create your hypothesis. Select a measuring stick. Launch your treatment at the appointed time and wait patiently for statistical significance.

And as God is my witness, I say that you will have prepared yourself to ease into a more profitable and fruitful pursuit: the split test.

Your new-found skills at selecting what to change, at choosing metrics and knowing how long to test will serve you well. The split test will control for seasonal and competitive fluctuations that plague even the most stalwart of serial tests. Riches will be yours for the taking.

Hark! I offer gifts with my glad tidings. For your pleasure, I offer my very own test planning document to guide you through your most pressing serial test.

Use it in good health and growing prosperity as it guides you to online success. With it, you will rise above the blind rabble who would dare to compete with you.

You will have questions, no doubt. Please share them in the comments for a rousing response from me and other smart readers like yourself.

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Related Topics: Conversion Science

Gather close, dear friends and hear my words of warning. Gird yourself, for my tale would make any enlightened man or woman stagger back in disbelief. I do not share such news with you lightly. It is not my errand to harm or discomfort your mental or psychological wellbeing.

Resist the urge to sever the very Internet connection with which you receive my message. I shall soon relieve your stress with a simple technique that will counter the malevolence that I describe.

I reveal my knowledge only because you may in fact be a person possessing an enterprising mind. If this is true, I know you will see in my tale of woe and tragedy the shadow of immense opportunity.

My Tale

I have, in my professional pursuits been privy to the plans of many a starry-eyed business person. So eager are they to tap the keg of the Web that they have made themselves drunk with anticipation, even before a single sip of the digital elixir has crossed their lips.

They are handy with their search tools, clever in their keywords and pen pay-per-click ads that seem to dance upon the page.

It is all for naught, for the heady traffic pours into vessels so riddled with hole and crack, that from this torrent these businesses can scarcely moisten their lips. The websites to which they deliver their click-through treasure fail in their basic duty of capturing and converting the bounty.

And so, they make changes. They replace the ineffective cup with a bowl and then a pitcher and then a saucer, each equally as impotent; each delivering little sustenance to them.

Take your kerchief now from your pocket, dear friend, for my tale will bring tears to your eyes.

In their quest to find the proper vessel these misguided souls fail to see the true opportunity. It is as if they are blind, and yeah, they truly are.

They stick their inferior containers out into the flood and clinch their eyes tightly closed as if looking upon something abominable. Thus, they see only the result, and not the cause of their famine.

But lift your head now and let the brightness of joy return to your face, for I can tell you now that you need not suffer as they do.

The True Opportunity

The core of the matter is this: the opportunity lies not in the container, but in the holes and cracks.

Yes, each little imperfection offers up a chance to be corrected, each tiny fault a hope of repair. And when enough of these imperfections are discovered our cups will fill with abundance on which our businesses will become sated.

Do not dismiss me now expecting tales of split tests and multivariate monstrosities, for I offer a much simpler way of stripping the blindfold from your eyes.

I offer you: the Serial Test.

Behold, The Serial Test

I chuckle now as I think of the simplicity and power of this trick. It begins with the ability to measure traffic and track the very leads and sales that sustain you.

You may choose Google Analytics or Clicky for its simplicity. Enterprises may prefer Omniture or Webtrends. It is of little consequence to me.

It is only important that you be able to gauge the level in your cup as compared to the visits flowing into it.

Seek not absolute accuracy, but seek instead consistency of measure and no more.

Tread lightly! You must bring change in small steps, patiently and purposefully. Seek to join a crack or fill a hole.

Change a headline, reduce the number of fields in your form or add trust-building symbols to the page. Change but one thing at a time.

Accompany each change with a hypothesis, a thesis for what you expect the change to do for you. Most of the time, your hypothesis will simply be this:

“This change will increase the percentage of visitors who take action; who convert to a lead or a sale as measured by ___________.”

You must fill the blank, my friend.

Will you measure calls you receive from the Web? Will you measure completed forms? Will you measure revenue per click? It is up to you.

All I ask is that you choose a measure for which you know the current value and that will reliably rise or fall as your fortunes change.

Test Duration

Hold fast! Do not rush off to ogle your analytics, for we must first discuss statistical significance. Do not be disheartened. This term, though bulging with syllables simply means that you must let enough time pass before you review the results of your change.

There are ebbs and flows within even a calendar week that must be considered. I say you shall let no less than a week pass before you evaluate any change. This assumes a heady stream of traffic.

To ensure validity, you should let enough time pass for 100 conversions to occur or for thousands of eyes fall upon your change before you harvest your learnings.

Measure your current page, which we call the control for an appropriate amount of time. Then measure the changed page, which we call the treatment for such a time as well. Then will you be ready to glean insights that will fill your cup.

In many cases you will find a difference between the two. The treatment will offer an increase or decrease over the performance of its brother. But, don’t rush to the conclusion, for if the change is small, it is wholly invalid.

Only Big Differences Count

Do not think me foul that I must reveal that a serial test does not control for natural changes in the marketplace. Just as the temperature fluctuates from season to season, so too will your conversion rates and independently of changes to your site.

Therefore stake your decisions on large changes. If your treatment causes a drop of 20% or more, you can be comforted that it is an inferior vessel. Cast it aside and restore the control. This is truly an honorable result!

If your treatment brings a bounty of 20% or more in increased conversions, rejoice. You have found a new control.

Otherwise, retain your control and try something anew.

Repeat & Grow

Tarry but a moment, dear reader, as you must prepare for the next test. Choose another change. Create your hypothesis. Select a measuring stick. Launch your treatment at the appointed time and wait patiently for statistical significance.

And as God is my witness, I say that you will have prepared yourself to ease into a more profitable and fruitful pursuit: the split test.

Your new-found skills at selecting what to change, at choosing metrics and knowing how long to test will serve you well. The split test will control for seasonal and competitive fluctuations that plague even the most stalwart of serial tests. Riches will be yours for the taking.

Hark! I offer gifts with my glad tidings. For your pleasure, I offer my very own test planning document to guide you through your most pressing serial test.

Use it in good health and growing prosperity as it guides you to online success. With it, you will rise above the blind rabble who would dare to compete with you.

You will have questions, no doubt. Please share them in the comments for a rousing response from me and other smart readers like yourself.

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Related Topics: Conversion Science

seo optimization services

mesothelioma memorial scholarship and bech craft company

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"Getting data privacy 'right' is an economic and social imperative. Trust and confidence in the security and privacy of the critical systems of our planet - especially the digital version of its central nervous system, the Internet - is foundational to individuals' continued engagement and reliance on such things as online commerce, e-health and smart grids. If individual consumers don't feel that their privacy and security are protected, they will not support modernization efforts, even though the capabilities of technology advancements are proven and the potential benefits to society are extensive.

"Here's an example of the tensions we face: The ability of smart grids to conserve resources relies on the ability of, and commitment from, consumers to monitor and modify their individual usage. An individual using a smart meter understands the difference in the cost of using electricity at peak versus non-peak hours and could opt to lower their usage during more costly time periods. At the same time, data from the meters can reveal sensitive information such as work habits, shower schedules, use of medical devices such as dialysis, and whether or not a house is occupied."

"I don't worry that the technology will have a negative impact on consumer privacy," wrote Mark Roberti, founder of RFID Journal in a June overview of the state of the RFID market where privacy is concerned. "Instead, I worry that ignorant legislators trying to score points with uninformed voters will pass laws that limit the many benefits RFID can deliver--and that is a much bigger threat to consumers."

Today's agreement in Europe appears not to be the kind of legislation Roberti feared. As a framework focused on self-reporting it may be too little, ultimately, but it's a start.

There has been a lot of talk as to whether or not social media is the front runner in another inflated internet bubble waiting to burst, leaving users “virtually” friendless and clueless. Will everyone be out of the loop, with no one keeping track of daily deals, happenings or status updates? Warren Buffet confirmed this fear stating that although it’s not as big as the dot com bubble, social media is not long term by any means. However, industry trends and buyer behaviors are stating otherwise.

Facebook has proven beneficial to marketing efforts for B2C companies, but B2B marketing has struggled to find its footing on the platform. That’s where LinkedIn has emerged as the go-to medium for B2B marketers.

A recent study done by BtoB Magazine, showed that when asked “Which of the following social media methods does your company currently use for your B2B marketing (i.e. not personal use)” 72% of B2B marketers said LinkedIn. After reaching more than 100 million users, LinkedIn has solidified its niche as Facebook in a business suit, and B2B companies have taken notice.

The 2011 State of Inbound Marketing (an annual report done by HubSpot, an inbound marketing software company) found that 61% of B2B marketers who participated in the survey acquired a customer through LinkedIn. The targeted and measurable aspect of inbound marketing is what makes it so attractive to smart business owners who are tired of spending money on marketing with no proof that it’s working. Former Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s, M. Lawrence Light said, “It no longer makes economic sense to send an advertising message to the many, in hopes of persuading the few.”

Continued on the next page


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Gionta nets 2 as Price, Canadiens blank Bruins

Carey Price returned as Montreal's starting playoff goalie with his third postseason shutout, Brian Gionta scored twice and the Canadiens opened the series with a 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

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Taptu allows iPad owners to “DJ your <b>news</b>” | VentureBeat

Anthony is a senior editor at VentureBeat, as well as its reporter on media, advertising, and social networks. Before joining ...

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Fox <b>News</b> Throughout History: Pics, Videos, Links, <b>News</b>

Fox News Throughout History: History is written by the pundits winners. As long as humans have existed, they've tried to spin historical events to shed themselves in the best light. And their enemies in the worst.

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Apple should see a material dip, on top of the one that occurred
after I indicated that I was short the stock on March 16th. Before we
delve into my opinion, let’s peruse the news from 1 a.m. this morning:

WSJ: Apple Crunched in Nasdaq Rebalance- In
a move likely to ripple across the stock market, Nasdaq OMX plans to
announce a rare rebalancing of its Nasdaq-100 index, which will reduce
the big weighting of Apple, which currently makes up more than 20% of
the index.

Bloomberg: Apple’s Weight in Nasdaq-100 to Be Reduced as Microsoft, Cisco Are Raised

So, why do you think Nasdaq decides to reduce Apple’s weighting now?
Well, the competitive pressures that Apple faces are nigh guaranteed to
make it impossible for it to fulfill the pie in the sky expectations
that are being built for it.  That in combination with a 20% weighting
create a recipe for a guaranteed crash in the Nasdaq unless something
was done about it. Signs of heavy reliance on on or two products for 70%
of their profit, while sourcing the most important parts of those
products from their biggest competitors, were starting to show. iPad 2
supplies are tight due to Japan’s woes, and Apple does not have the
mobile computing product diversity to handle it like the 150 or so
Android competitors it is battling. This means much more than just a gap
in profits for the quarter. These companies are in race, and Apple is
being forced to give up some of its lead due to diversification issues –
issues that Android manufacturers (who are more diversified because
there are so many more of them from different places) don’t have, or at
least not to the extent that Apple does. Thus, Samsung, LG, Asus, HTC,
etc. will be rolling out to customers who may have had an Apple iPhone
or iPad.

This is also another (of many) massive triumphs of BoomBustblog
research over that of the most esteemed Godman Sachs who put a $430
price target on Apple just as it was making all time highs and in direct
contravention to BoomBustBlog’s stated logic. See Shorting Apple and Why Software Developers Can Make More Money On Android Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

I have finally started dabbling with Apple
shorts and puts. My OTM S&P put positions were profitably stopped
out due to trailings yesterday when the market recovered some of its
losses. I have decided to use Apple in the place of the S&P puts
for the time being. Medium to long term, the trade is more evident and
obvious to anyone who is objective and follows BoomBustBlog. It is
significantly more risky shorter term. Alas, there are marginal gains
already, and once they accrue to the point of indemnifying my trailing
stop, I will add more. After I finish the current leg of my global real
estate research to be disseminated to institutions, I will offer
tidbits of the modeling (I have already offered subscribers significant
info on why I think Apple is a risky long play). From a contrarian
standpoint, it may be safe to go short with tight stops, after all
although Apple Gears Up To Combat The Margin Compression That Apparently Only It, Google & Reggie Middleton Sees Coming, we still have those guys over at West Street… Goldman’s
$430 Target, Screaming Buy On Apple At Its All Time High Is In Direct
Contravention To Reggie Middleton’s Logic – Who’s Right? Well, Who
Has Been More Right In The Past? I have taken The Challenge To Goldman Sach’s Apple Proclamation One Step

Farther, Apple’s Closed System Risks
Failure! Listen, everyone, regardless of what investment positions or
tech products you may have in your stable, needs to ask themselves the
appropriate “What if’s”. I have spurred the conversation with “Will Google Win The Mobile Computing War? Let’s Walk Through Where They Stand Now & How To Value Them”

Remember, I may not always be right, but it does pay to look at the track record…  Did Reggie Middleton, a Blogger at BoomBustBlog, Best Wall Streets Best of the Best? More attention should be paid to the little guy, after all by now it is Now Common Knowledge That Goldman’s Investment Advice Sucks!
Didn’t you get the memo? I’m sure many traders have spurned Apple due
to the Japanese market being cut off right at the launch of the iPad 2,
but the issues go deeper than that. I will cover it in depth at a later
date, though.

Additional thoughts on the Apple short:

1. Note For The Few Realistic Apple Bears… Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
2. Buffet on Apple – Common Sense! Monday, March 21st, 2011
3. Competition Heats Up In The Mobile Computing Space On Many Fronts – Prices Driven Down Once Again By The Big Players Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
4. How the “I Love Apple, There Is No Other Fever” Adds To The Attractiveness Of An Ever So Unpopular Apple Short Monday, March 21st, 2011

And that Research in Motion short alert
given to subscribers is working like a charm – even more so if it get’s
caught in  NASDAQ storm: Research in Motion Drops 10% After Hours, Precisely As We Warned Two Months Ago – MARGIN COMPRESSION!!! Thursday, March 24th, 2011

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Wi-Fi Photo Transfer is a free app that makes it insanely simple to download photos from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

We've been using iPhoto, jailbreak tweaks, and Image Capture to download photos to our computer. None of these methods are as quick, as painless, or as wireless as Wi-Fi Photo Transfer. 

There isn't a single setting to alter once you download the app. It works by making the photos folder on your device (DCIM, if you're an iOS explorer) visible from your web browser so you can download photos straight to your computer. Your computer and device must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.

You can view all your photos in a convenient thumbnail view to select multiple items, or you can download them one by one (in various sizes, too). 

This free app is a can't-miss. In fact, we used it to download the screen-grabs for this very post you're reading now.

Price: free from the App Store (universal app)

NOTE: if you're downloading screen captures you've taken on your iDevice, this app mislabels them as JPG so you get an error trying to open them in Photoshop. Once you download the screen captures, change the JPG extension to PNG in the file name and you'll be all set. This note is only for iDevice screen captures, achieved by holding down the Home button and Sleep button simultaneously for a second.

(Via App Storm)

Google reported solid quarterly earnings this afternoon, but EPS was slightly below expectations and expenses were high. 

The expenses were apparently cause for investor concern, and shares have dropped more than 5% after hours.

In particular, cap ex spend was $890 million. Google explained most of that was related to the purchase of new buildings in Dublin and Paris.

Operating expenses were also up thanks in large part to the 10% one-time salary raise, which kicked in this quarter.

In a Q&A with investors during the earnings call, several analysts wondered if this level of expenditure is the only way Google can continue to grow revenue more than 20%. Execs tried to reassure them that Google is measuring and paying very close attention to the expense side of the equation.

The basics:

Gross Revenue of $8.58 billion was slightly better than expected and rose a strong 27% year over year.

Net Revenue of $6.54 billion slightly better than expected.

Adjusted EPS of $8.08 is slightly--slightly--below expectations of $8.13. Revenue was strong, so the key will be whether the earnings miss is the result of lower margins (bad) or, say, a higher tax rate (irrelevant).

Paid clicks growth was better than expected at 18% year over year (vs 15%-17% expectation). This is Google's key revenue unit, and better-than-expected unit growth is positive.

Revenue per click increased 8% year over year, at the high end of expectations.

Free cash flow was a solid $2.2 billion. Cash flow from operations was spectacular--$3.2 billion--but the company spent an astronomical $890 million on capital expenditures, much more than expected.  (What on earth are they spending all this money on?)

Product highlights: Android is getting 350,000 activations per day. Chrome now has 120 million users -- that means 120 million people who are more likely to be "locked in" to Google services. YouTube revenue is doubling every year, but still no concrete numbers to share.

Bottom line, Google remains robustly healthy.  27% year over year revenue growth in a company this size is extremely impressive, and the core search business is humming along. The high capital expenditures are a question and concern--it will be interesting to hear what the company says about them on the call.

Here are some slides from the deck Google used on its earnings call. Scroll past them for our live blog of the call itself.

You've got to love 27% growth from such an enormous base.

Traffic acquisition costs are looking good as well:

But this is what investors are worried about -- costs rising as a percentage of revenue, particularly R&D and sales and marketing. A lot of that is salary-related:

Here's another way of looking at it: operating margins are getting lower:

Here are our notes from the call:

4:27 ET:  We're waiting for the call to start. We'll see if Larry Page jumps on, since he just took over as CEO last week. He's reportedly investor and press shy, so we'll be curious to see how he performs.

One slightly curious note: the call isn't being broadcast on YouTube as it has in the past.

4:31: Larry will join at the beginning of the call. It's also Patrick Pichette, CFO. Two of the new senior VPs are on board as well -- Susan Wojcikci (advertising), Jeff Huber (local and commerce). Plus Nikesh Arora, the chief business officer, who's  been on past calls.

4:33: Page notes 27% revenue growth. Tremendous improvements still ahead. Now he's talking management changes.

"Everything we told you last quarter has happened." He's managing day to day operations as CEO. Eric Schmidt is on government and partner outreaches -- last quarter he was in Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and Spain. Sergey working "very intensively" on a few projects.

4:34: Also made changes to simplify their org structure. He's thanking Jonathan Rosenberg, who's been on most of these past calls.

That's about it. Now it's on to Pichette.

4:35: Expenses show the 10% across the board raise for the first time.

Gross revenue up 27%, $8.6B. It actually rose 2% quarter to quarter -- and last year Google had the Nexus One goosing revenue. Plus this year the disaster in Japan.

Google Network revenue up 19%. Negatively impacted by loss of search distribution deal, plus search quality improvement -- spam control. It always serves us well.

Other revenue was down 10% year over year to $269 million. That's mostly Google Apps and Enterprise Search, a very small business.

Aggregate click growth up 18% year to year, and 4% from last quarter. The shift from offline to online is driving that.

4:40: International revenue was 53% of total.

TAC was 25% of total revenue, $2.2B.

Overall opex totaled $2.8m, including stock-based compensation.

Opex increase is primarily payroll, some advertising.

Op margin 37.6%

Headcount up 1,900 during the quarter. total 26,316 employees.

Capex is facilities, data centers. Facilities driven by purchases of buildings in Dublin and Paris. Capex is "lumpy from quarter to quarter" depending on when it wants to make capex investments.

4:43. Boasting about Android, fastest growing mobile OS, and Chrome, fastest growing browser. Pushed frontier of mobile search which is adding to overall search volume. YouTube "win win" platform for content owners and users.

Second half of 2010, grew 25% year to year. This quarter 27%. Compared to comp of 23% a year ago. "We are building multibillion dollar businesses" and confident now is the time to invest. Discipline.

4:45: Local and commerce SVP Jeff Huber.

Ambitious hiring this quarter by design. 2011 will be biggest hiring in history, hired 1,900 this quarter. Core and growing businesses are doing well, so "who wouldn't want to invest in this business." Over half the "Nooglers" who joined will be in new areas like YouTube, Chrome, Enterprise.

Search: improving quality. Launched over 90 quality improvements, including changes to ranking algorithms. Impacted about 12% of queries, and addressed over 80% of sites that users reported.

Had adverse affect on revenues on SOME SITES in Display network. But improving search is always the best thing to do in the long run.

Personal, as in building around people. Launched the +1 button, easier to share results. "This is just the beginning" more personal search coming soon.

Mobile traffic up 500%+ over last two years.

350,000 Android devices activated per day. Recently launched in-app billing.

Chrome: users "very valuable". Investing in Chrome marketing. Now more than 120m daily users, more than 40% added in last year.

Chrome OS "also going well" and look forward to launching devices later this year.

Enterprise: growing across businesses and schools. New deals, reseller agreements. University of Texas, Boston U.

Pleased our ITA deal closed, travel search lots of room for innovation there.

Huber is now thanking Jonathan Rosenberg as well. "Friends and colleagues for over 15 years. He will be missed"

4:49: Now it's Susan Wojcicki.

Lots to be excited about in ads. Search is still core, but big oppty for growth.

"How can we search the perfect ad for every query?" New creative types, new ways for advertisers to set up campaigns. Product Listing Ads, introduced Q4 last year.

Display advertising: bought DoubleClick 3 years ago, lot of integration, lot of progress. Display Network up 5x since acquisition, doubling annually in Brazil, UK, and Japan.

Display advertisers either performance oriented (conversions) and brand oriented (awareness). Launched new stuff for brand advertisers, like Display Ad Network Reserve -- buy premium inventory on a guaranteed basis. Also tools to measure effectiveness of campaigns -- not just clicks.

Ad Exchange -- transaction volume has tripled in past year, 2/3ds of that inventory bought via real-time bidding.

YouTube: revenue doubling year over year, shared with more than 20k content partners. The more money we make for them, the more engaging stuff they upload.

AdMob: over 150 million iOS and Android devices, up 50% in last four months.

Advertisers starting to run mobile-only campaigns. Incorporating local -- how far are you standing away from the advertiser's location right now?

4:55: Pichette taking over again for Q&A.

Q: Opex up 45% year over year excluding traffic acquisition cost. Is this kind of spending required to retain 20%+ revenue growth? Or one-off?

A. Clearly the effect of the one-time salary change. Salary increase flows through to other stuff like 401(k) and vacation, so disproportionately felt in first quarter. "Nooglers" as well. One-time step change in labor, but after that regular.

Marketing has increased since last year because it's providing great returns. Both customer acquisition and key products like Chrome.

Still disciplined: quarterly reviews to get your next funding.

Q. What about marketing costs? What's going on?

A. Professional services. Chrome -- really pushing the web. When they get Chrome, instead of having to look for Google, they get it. It's there already. "Everybody who uses Chrome is a guaranteed locked-in user of Google."

Q. How does Larry view the company differently than it was?

A. Position hasn't changed. We're a tech company, focused on users, looking for products that can affect billions of people. Computer science helping find problems for billions of people.

If you think that way, Chrome, Android, search all make sense. The 70/20/10 is very alive. "Search is the next billion dollar business." 90 improvements on one side, 40 on the other -- search still in our infancy. Mobile, display, enterprise.

10% is commerce, social, stuff that's nascent. Strategy same core lenses, same products that serve billions of people.

Q. But financially? Any meaningful difference?

A. No. Build great products, same financial discipline.

Q. More about opex. Customer acquisition in Chrome, salespeople. Do you think your 20%+ growth rate would be achievable without these costs? Will you still get the growth without the costs?

A. Strategy in context of last 4 to 5 quarters. Trajectory of revenue growth, 23%, 25%, 27%. We're funding revenue growth with discipline. "Carpe diem, it's there to take."

Q. Imagine display is $20B based on various figures. Right now you're at 10% or so. How big can that be? And as display gets bigger, how does that affect margins?

A. Search unique with very very high margins. Display more paperwork. But still very good margin product. "All of those dollars I want." Plus great "symbiotic" relationship -- display ads now showing up in search.

Could say that display was stalled at $50 to $60B because video wasn't there. YouTube helps reach 23 to 24% more consumers. Efficiency of Web applied to video. All efforts trying to build that display, rich media and video. Every profitable dollar of revenue is good.

Q. What about social data? You don't run social network. Do you need it for search?

A. Jeff Huber -- it's important, we use 200+ signals for ranking search today. It's one of many inputs. Assets that apply to that, we do have large number of users coming to our door every day. Considerable percentage logged in, using multiple products.

Pichette: launch of +1 is commitment to get every signal. Continued focus on social as one of 200 signals.

Q. Does Chrome give you any signals you can integrate into search results?

A. Huber -- will be part of story over time, personalized today. Chrome experience, can sign into Chrome, will sync info across computers.

Q. Where are those bold steps to control expenses? We don't see it. And is social really just one of 200 variables?

A. On expenses, you see ramp-up on one side. Guarantee you everybody who has cost center has to demonstrate productivity. Data center, incredibly steep. Sales force. We always think of cost per x. Cost per bit for data centers. Even food, everybody has productivity curve.

Google is growing 25% year over year from a $25B base. Tide coming with it, but every element of the company is "scrubbed and scrutinized." The unit costs haunt many of my managers.

Huber now on social: one of many signals. We regularly measure and tune.

Pichette again: expenses, we really want to lay the ground clear on these issues.

Q. Search algo changes -- how does that affect search ads and cost per click? And what's driving display ad revenue growth -- ad units or more targeting?

A. Huber: 12% of queries affected. Was Web search only, not ads. NO effect on CPC. Did affect display network, but focus is on user experience.

Wojcicki: Can buy audiences, target more effectively. It's both. End to end platform to enable buying across the Internet for all advertisers and all publishers.

Pichette: Some properties tuned to display like YouTube, but entire Web is more powerful than any single prop.

Q. What about tablet share -- is it as important as smartphone share?

A. Jeff Huber: tablets doing well, lot of growth in that segment. Dynamics -- hybrid between mobile and desktop when you look at user behavior. Optimistic about Honeycomb. Xoom was product of the show at CES in January. More products, more innovation.

Enable advertisers to target tablets, which will help that segment.

Q. Employee bonuses and social -- define success?

A. This is an internal matter. We focus a strategy across many platforms, we wanted to signal to employees that social is an important signal and worth investing. No further comment.

Q. Search important, but engagement might be more important. Have you looked at 70/20/10 and think about shifting to build greater engagement? Look at how other products and services can be integrated in?

A. Web in general, how platforms are growing, we're focusing in areas where engagement matters. Local, mobile, YouTube, all about engagement. Mobile, Chrome. Technology fuels engagement. At highest level, search itself is more engaged today than it was 3 years ago. It's part of our strategy.

Q. Engagement through frequency rather than share of time.

A. When you are in YouTube, you're spending more time in YouTube. Android phone, now visiting and in town, additional signals sharing with friends etc.

Q. Does Chrome give you potential to create unique products, apps, content services?

A. Huber: great opportunities in that. Chrome Web Store -- same model as Android Market, bringing it to that platform.

Q. How much is a mobile user worth today, and how do you think about larger acquisitions?

A. Can't answer about mobile user. Look at our focus, we're very excited about mobile. Great potential there. Monetization side -- click to call ads. Locally targeted ads, ability to engage users where they are. Smartphone will be way people do everything -- inform, entertain. It will merge.

Q. Do you think value can go up order of magnitude in 3 years?

A. Wojcicki: very early in what mobile can do. Will grow overall opportunity, overall pie.

Nobody is going to say a substantive thing about acquisitions.

We haven't found big one that will significantly accelerate our growth. We have a really focused agenda, don't want massive distraction. Google is a specific culture --- big acquisition must be both financially sensible and cultural fit. "That's a pretty high bar to pass."

Q. Non cost-per-click ads -- what kind of growth are you seeing? And does Google have a video strategy outside of user-generated content?

A. We have new people on board with YouTube to expand beyond user-generated.

Huber: user-generated is huge. But we're interested in "long-form premium content," another area is developing content of, by, and for new medium being created. Next New Networks acquisition was there.

Wojcicki: we're allowing advertiser to bid with CPA (cost per action) then Google figures out CPC (per click) in background. Also CPM (per impression). Depends on whether advertisers are more performance or ad-driven. As we introduce new kinds of ads for brand advertising, CPM will become a bigger deal.

Q. How bad was Japan? You also said 350k Android activations per day -- can you give breakdown smartphone v tablet and US v international?

A. Our first response to the events was to help the Japanese community. People finding people and disaster recovery. Focus on community, not optimizing revenue.

Tons of searches, by the way, but not monetizable searches. Japan is great market for us. Historically they bounce back fast. We can't predict how will rebound on advertising, but it's a 1st world economy that will recover.

Huber: Android. Not going to answer the question. But we have strong partnerships in Europe, Japan, Korea, and international is growing. Android is relatively early on in tablets, Honeycomb just came out. Big innovations coming.

 

 

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Obama Exclusive: I Was Born in Hawaii and I Don&#39;t &#39;Have Horns <b>...</b>

I thought the president would take a pass when I asked him about Donald Trump's rise to the top of the Republican field in my exclusive interview today. Far from it. He grabbed at the chance with a big smile... ABC News' George ...

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Taptu allows iPad owners to “DJ your <b>news</b>” | VentureBeat

Anthony is a senior editor at VentureBeat, as well as its reporter on media, advertising, and social networks. Before joining ...

Roofing Contractors Vancouver - 5 Questions to Consider

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4. Is it advisable for me to repair the rooftop myself?

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If your gutters often clog too often, or there are leaks across the walls of your house, it may imply that there's debris piled up on the top. Loose branches, piles of leaves, and other light objects that are swept onto your roof during a storm can all contribute towards damaging your roof, which damages could be lasting. An educated Tacoma Roofer will explain that birds, mice, and other kinds of rodents often build nest within the debris that collects on the roof. While these nests may look rather innocent, they are great at collecting moisture, which can lead to loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your house. In addition, this may also cause vermin infestation. Following a storm, your Tacoma Roofing company will claim that you inspect your homes roof for any signs of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages with the Help of a Tacoma Roofer

However top quality the rooftop might be, it is going to wear down over time. There are shingles that are referred to as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are only related to warranty made by the manufacturers. They hardly ever last that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles won't last a lot more than fifteen to twenty years. In an area that is prone to storms, shingles or the entire roof may need to get replaced every 10 years. Having a Tacoma Roofing company, the cost is going to be lower than what you think.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing company can assist you to. Damaged shingles can lead to indoor leaks, as the substrate from the roof becomes exposed to the sun and rain. Shingles which are loose or broken can slip off and pose a possible hazard to individuals standing below. Missing shingles create a gap that allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to develop under the adjoining shingles, which creates a "domino effect" that affects other shingles plus they become loose or broken. A thorough investigation is going to be made by the local Tacoma Roofer, should you give them a call up with your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.

Your Tacoma Roofer will be in a situation to tell you what the smartest choice is perfect for your homes roof. If your roof isn't inside a good shape, it is advised that you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofer can take you through the various roofing options available for you which will fit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofing company: Improving your Home's Efficiency

Your homes roof shelters you from storms, sleet, and hail. By giving adequate ventilation, your roof protects your home from overheating, by holding in the heat, it keeps your home warm. That's why you ought to prepare your roof from indoors in addition to outdoors for any sort of weather emergency. A Qualified Tacoma Roofer can offer assist in this situation.

To begin with, inspect your roof thoroughly for just about any and all kind of damage, before the beginning of a new season. The gutters should be clear, debris shouldn't be piled on or trapped under shingles, there should be no homes of squirrels or birds in the eaves or attic, and the roof ought to be structurally sound. For that last part, you will need the assistance of the local Tacoma Roofing contractor. It may be quite dangerous to climb onto the roof of your property. This is when the contractor from Tacoma Roofing contractor comes in. He'll read the strength and security of your roof and shingles, and do a general inspection of the entire roof structure, to make certain that it is in proper working order. They will be in a position to point to issues that you have to keep an eye on and problems you might not have spotted.

You will need all of the assist you to can get in the Tacoma Roofer. You can help your homes roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to help prevent debris from forming in your gutters. The extra weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and can even tear them down. Check the fasteners in your gutters and when they are loose, tighten them. Take steps to change worn screws and brackets. If you have a chimney in your house, inspect the bricks and mortar signs and symptoms of wear. A reliable mason could be recommended because of your Tacoma Roofing company, if you will find any repairs to be done.

Tacoma Roofer: Someone You are able to Count On
When you realize or suspect that there's a problem, your Tacoma Roofing company should be contacted. They are able to use their knowledge and expertise to obtain your home in ace condition simply by focusing on the rooftop. Your homes roof deserves attention. So call them today, so that they can get down to caring for your roof.

 

What is Distinction between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are considering getting a roofing company to re roof your house or building then you may be wondering what are the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To begin with, the main one huge difference is that often times a commercial roofing company may have signed a contract with and be obligated to a roofing union in in a position to focus on union commercial jobs.

If this sounds like the situation then their labor costs will prohibit them from focusing on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if a commercial roofing company has not signed a contract with a union they might be outfitted just for commercial jobs which of course means their workers and equipment might not be consistent with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors in general often run smaller companies and therefore, tend to be more in a position to bid competitively on residential jobs, which are usually smaller than comercial jobs. In fact, quite often residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, where the contractor that you simply speak with may be the one which actually does the job on the building.

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more expensive along with a larger bond is needed for any commercial roofing work which can make it not cost effective for a commercial roofer to do residential roofing jobs.

Still an additional factor is the fact that commercial jobs can run on tighter time period for any quantity of reasons, requiring a commercial contractor to train on a larger crew or crews which again makes smaller jobs not as profitable on their behalf.

 

Distinction between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Did you know that the rooftop of the building has a huge effect on the whole structure itself? Damage caused to roofs because of natural or another disasters causes a considerable lack of property everywhere. The kind of materials used to construct the rooftop which should be sturdy and long lasting, the way in which the roof has been installed and even its timely maintenance are very crucial. There's two kinds of roofs that are utilized on all the buildings that people see around us: commercial and residential. Even though it might seem that commercial roofing is performed only for businesses or offices and residential roofing is performed for apartments and houses, in reality the differences are much more complicated than that.

Residential roofing is generally completed by just one hired contractor but commercial roofing typically takes a whole team to complete the job. This is because an industrial roof is commonly larger in terms of square feet than the usual residential roof.
Commercial roofs need to be made carefully keeping the character and reason for the building in mind. For instance, when there is a cafe or restaurant in the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes is going to be required. Residential roofs tend not to have such components apart from a chimney or two at the most.
Commercial roofs is commonly flat in design to support further changes at a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks and other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is much more expensive than residential roofing due to the special tools, materials and safety equipment that are needed onsite. Usually the patching or maintenance jobs are completed in segments unlike for a residential roof in which the repair or replacement work can be completed in a short while. This really is another reason why the equipment used for residential roofs is usually smaller and less costly too.
Commercial roof installations have a extended period to complete in comparison to residential roof installations and are usually constructed in large sections. During this phase however, it is important to ensure that there are no leakages, cracks or any other visible deterioration signs as it can certainly cause considerable damage to the whole building.
You should install the best roof for any building based on its purpose. Make sure that you hire a construction company that utilizes top notch materials and it has the right equipment to do the job or your investment risk turning to be a huge loss later.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractors: How to Find a Qualified Commercial Roofing Company

If a business is seeking to have work done on its roof, it is important to work with commercial roofing contractors which have an enthusiastic understanding of any special needs that the business may have. For example, a roofing job can often be disruptive for that operation of business as always. For this reason, it might be essential for the company to be temporarily turn off, or the roofing to take place after business hours have ended. A roofing contractor that understands these needs can function plus a business in order to make certain these kinds of issues are minimized.

The first thing that a company must do when it's trying to find commercial roofing contractors is to discover who other businesses in the region are working through. Obviously, this article not be helpful whether it may come as an indicator from competitors, but there are circumstances in which it's not too hard to locate this information from suppliers or retailers. Since roofing isn't an industry-specific service, this information is easily available.

It's a good idea for just about any business to get in touch with at least three commercial roofing contractors to create bids on the price. In this manner, the company can often obtain a better price. It's also vital that you make sure that each one of the roofing contractors is licensed and bonded. This information can be found by permitting in touch with the state contractor's board. This also makes it possible to determine if there has been any claims filed against the company in the past.

When looking at bids, it is just as important to look at what services are being offered and which products is going to be used because it is to look at the overall cost. The prices can vary quite drastically, but as tempting as possible to choose the lowest bid, this is not always the best option. Oftentimes, more costs now means fewer costs in the long run as a result of a poor roofing job. To further investigate the caliber of the work, it is a wise decision to check with the Better Business Bureau to be able to find out if the company has been accredited, and if it has not, to a minimum of see what its rating is.

 

Picking out a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When you're searching for a roofer for the commercial roofing project you have to look for a contractor who understands the special needs of the commercial roofing project. For example it can be harder to operate on a business during business hours so either the business needs to be shut down for that repair or replacement or the job has to be done after conventional business hours. May be the roofer you are thinking about for the job willing and able to operate around your schedule constrictions which might involve working weekends or evenings?

When you begin your search for a roofing contractor you don't only have to answer those questions however, you also want to find someone that will perform a high quality job without a lot of time delays. Going about finding someone can feel like an obstacle by itself but there are some methods to result in the search easier.

Ask people around you for referrals and then try to find a minimum of three contractors to give you written bids on your job. Prior to going any more you need to ensure that the contractors you are thinking about are fully licensed and bonded. A simple search using the state contractor's board will verify in case your roofer is licensed and when you will find any past judgments or claims against their license.

Once you select three or four roofers to put bids, you should prepare yourself for the bids to become widely varied. Roofers will have brand preferences which will vary and could factor in more or less than the next guy for a labor estimate. The more detailed a written bid may be the more helpful it will likely be to focus on where the cost are going to be incurred. Don't, however, pick a roofer based solely on the bid price. Any low ball bids may be tempting to take, but if they are low due to low quality workman ship it may not be worthwhile in the end.

As they say, you generally get what you purchase, if you are able to afford a mid-priced bid it's always a good idea to go up in your price range rather than down. You also ought to decide your roofer based on how professional they were and how comfortable you anticipate you'll be dealing with them.

Finally your cost will vary based on what type of roofing material you select along with the cost to haul your old roof to the landfill. If you are looking for places to cut corners on your roof, rather than cutting labor cost you may want to inquire about a metal roof option. Metal roofs could be economical and energy efficient which makes them overall money savers for that long term, and on commercial buildings they can be really low maintenance. Plus given that they can be placed along with a current roof, you don't need to have the old one removed and hauled away, that make a big impact on your cost.

Choosing a comerical roofing company nearer your home, does not have to become a difficult task. To learn more, visit http://www.vancouverroofers.net

 

Seattle Roofing Contractors - How to locate The very best

In the home of rain and sleet, commercial coffee and grunge, and the famous space needle, you'll find a house which will suit you. Seattle, Washington could be a great place to build a home, however, you need Seattle roofing contractors to help you out. Your homes roof is, in the end, the crowning glory of your house, as well as your strongest type of defense from the elements. You need to have something that isn't just built to last, but built to attract and make your home more beautiful

Harsh Weather

Why are roofing contractors essential in this part of the country? Because Seattle is often bombarded by rain and other harsh climate conditions, you'll need a roof that can withstand all of the forces of nature. With this in mind, you need people who be aware of Seattle weather best, and who know what materials can best go into your roof for it to last far longer in the region. On top this, you need to blend with the rest of the houses inside your living area, which means you cannot simply get whatever roof you please.

In all these aspects, a Seattle roofers will be able to assist you. All you need to do is search for Seattle roofing contractors online to be able to obtain the best value for your money without wondering when the contractor will suddenly try to escape with it and then leave you roof-less.

Why the Contractor Model Works

If you want to set up your roof on your own, you will have to buy a whole lot of materials, secure permits and licenses, and obtain materials that are suitable for keep you safe against harsh extremes of Seattle weather. This means that if you're a DIY kind of guy or gal, you will have to go through a large amount of legwork to get the job done.

However, a Seattle roofer can do all the jobs for you personally and provide a package that can save you time and money. Because contractors operate under licenses and buy materials in large quantities, they are able to get discounts on building materials that you'd not otherwise get should you be buying merely for your own home.

Roofing Associations

Most roofing contractors also belong to roofing organizations which are bound by strict guidelines and standards. When they prosper on the roofing job, they can showcase their roofing contractors association; if they do poorly, they are able to ruin the trustworthiness of their roofing contractors association and keep other contractors within the association from getting good roofing jobs. There is a lot of pressure to do well, so you can be reassured that if you need a roofing job completed in Seattle, you can aquire a contractor from a roofing association to help you out.

For example, Seattle Roof Brokers operates with more than 500 roofing contractors within the Puget Sound. This group has over fifty years of roofing experience and experience dealing with Seattle roofing contractors, therefore it will know what kind of roofing you would like. The rooftop Brokers group can hook you up with the contractor that you'll require so you don't have to search for contractors individually.

What In the event you Demand from Your Contractor?

Whenever you finally obtain a contractor in the Seattle area, you need to do a lot of research on the roofing contractors themselves. Ask for a summary of previous companies or persons the contractor worked with to get a clear view of the roofing contractor's work ethics and roof quality. Your roofer should also possess the appropriate working licenses and city licenses needed by the Seattle city government.

Select a Seattle roofers that insures its employees, and that has courteous workers who will respect your thinking and make sure that the needs are met. Ensure that you obtain the best value for your money: if you are not satisfied using the job, you need to be guaranteed either money-back, or a free, new roof. Moreover, additionally you need the workers to get the job done on time, so be strict with your deadlines - and discover a contractor that's as strict as you are.

You need guarantees and warranties on your roof, so locate a contractor that can meet your budget and roofing needs. If you get in touch with good Seattle roofing contractors, you may be guaranteed a great roof along with a better house in this fantastic city.

Choosing the proper Roofing Contractor Company for Replacing Your homes roof

The shingles in your roof degrade and you're simply minded to locate a roofer to change the them. Perhaps you have already called a few and are evaluating which contractor to use for your upcoming roof repair. How do you select the best contractor for caring for your roof? Listed here are a number of things you should consider when looking for the best roofer.

Where's the roofing contractor located? You should hire a roofer that's local. Then you will get a higher level of service when the roofing company is located near your house or comes with an office near your residence.
References. To determine the reliability of the contractor, references ought to be provided of the previous customers who're prepared to vouch that excellent service was received. This should 't be the only element in choosing your future roofer as some may claim they value the privacy of the clients and don't desire to bother them. If this sounds like the case, request business related references. The places that provide the contractor with supplies can reveal the quantity of materials and regularity of supplying the contractor to assist determine their stability.
So how exactly does the roofing contractor company handle complaints? There's a large number of problems that can arise during the progress of the roofing replacement. Ask what their process is perfect for handling complaints if they arise. It is also a great idea to get a past client reference who were built with a complaint which was resolved to the satisfaction of the client.
The payment schemes. Do you know the the payment schemes for the job? What is the down payment and amount due upon completion? While it is certainly reasonable that a substantial payment be produced before a contractor begins work on a project, it is strongly advised that full payment isn't made until after the entire job is finished.
Written contract. All terms of the roofing replacement ought to be put in a written contract. No part of the contracting job should rely on verbal assurances.
Bonding. There are stuff that can go wrong with roofing installations that wind up costing a substantial amount of money to repair. Should this happen in your roofing replacement, you will feel a great deal better knowing that your roofing contractor is bonded. This can supply the funds to repair whatever mistakes were made. Find a roofer that's bonded.
Manufacturer Warranty. Quality materials for roofing typically come with a warranty. You should verify that there's actually a warranty on the materials being installed. Request a duplicate of the warranty.
Length of Time running a business Just how long has got the company you are interviewing been in business? A short in time business may reflect instability. If the contractor has been in business less than three years, verify how long they've actually been in the market. A brand new contractor may have a long time experience working on roofs before they form their own business. Seek a business that's been around for 3 years, or where the contractor has already established a lot more years performing roofing replacements. It can should not be the only factor, all of us have to start sometime. Balance this with referrals and also the other points raised in the following paragraphs.
Appropriate Permits. A Seattle roofer should know what permits are needed for fixing your roof. They should be aware of how you can obtain these permits on your behalf. Ask the contractor whether they will have the permits essential to repair the roof.
Liability. If a worker becomes injured, who's accountable for the worker's compensation? When the contractor's equipment damages your house, who is liable for the repairs? A good contractor will give you certificates of insurance for liability and worker's compensation before they begin repairing your roof.
Subcontractors. Verify whether the contractor will be using subcontractors. If so, it is strongly advised that everything contained within this article for verifying whether the contractor is credible should also be applied to subcontractors. You need to get the names and license numbers of all subcontractors. You should verify whether each subcontractor can also be insured so you are not held responsible for their accidents.
Pending Legal Actions. You should verify whether you will find any legal actions from the contractor. This is not only necessary for verifying if the roofing company is legitimate (credible roofing companies should not need to defend themselves in the court), it is also important because a lost lawsuit could cause the contractor to visit bankrupt. If you have made a substantial deposit for services immediately before the company goes bankrupt, you could lose many thousands of dollars and not have your roofing completed.
Material Disposal. Who is responsible for getting rid of the waste generated in the roof being replaced? Will your contractor handle every aspect of this? Is there an additional cost for getting rid of this waste?
NRCA Membership. Membership in local or national roofing associations, like the NRCA, shows commitment to staying up to date with the most effective methods for roof replacement and maintenance. Look for a roofer with a high standard of education regarding their trade.
Replacing your homes roof is a significant investment. Celebrate sense to inquire about serious questions before using a roofing contractor. Here are some more tips that you should consider when choosing the best roofer for your upcoming roofing replacement.

Payment. Don't create a full payment for services unless all work is finished.
Inspection. Do not make a full payment without having done your final inspection of services rendered.
Workers liens. Do not fully pay for the roofing replacement job until worker's lien releases happen to be obtained.
Oral Agreements. No agreement should be made verbally without backing it up on paper. All points which are vital that you you should be produced in writing.