A Better First Impression With Your Google Profile

In your pursuit to have a well-rounded brand, you've undoubtedly tried to ensure that the story you tell is consistent across as many platforms (points of exposure) as possible.  There are many points of exposure you might include in your marketing arsenal, such as: 

• business cards
• website design
• blog
• Youtube channel
• brochures
• flyers
• banners
• billboards
• magazine advertisements
• polo shirts
• email newsletter
• vehicle graphics
• Twitter page
• Facebook timeline
• Google profile

I think you get the point, but wait, did I just say Google profile? Well, yes I did. Much like McDonald's uses golden arches for french fries, and Starbucks uses green stirs with the siren tip... you too should keep your brand image attached/connected at all points of consumer contact.

Google Profile Infographic by Oevae Marketing Consultants

Did you know that your Google profile can be just as powerful as your Facebook timeline?  It's true, Google's new profile has a similar layout as the Facebook timeline.  The biggest differences (cosmetically speaking) between your Google profile and the Facebook timeline are the dimensions for each graphic you have control over – your photos. Unlike Facebook, the Google profile lets you use an animated .gif (graphics that have motion).  The Google profile is not intended to be a Facebook page, however, with the addition of Google+, you can do really well connecting with your circle of friends, customers, and first-time visitors.  If you choose to use animated graphics (.gif), you can give a bigger dose of your brand to those who visit your profile.  


I've included the exact Google profile dimensions in the infographic so you can enhance your Google profile.  Look at this animated Google profile we created for Troy Richard Salon.


Remember when I said you are probably using Facebook as a point of contact for your marketing? Well, you can, but unfortunately, the large Facebook timeline cover photos do not allow you to use the animated .gif file like Google's profiles do, however you can ensure that the way your brand looks is consistent –making a curtain that your Facebook page delivers a better first impression too. Like the Google profile, it's important that you use the proper measurements. Look at this Facebook timeline we created for Troy Richard Salon.

Oevae Marketing Consultants helps the small business owner enhance brand exposure, giving your company the recognition it deserves. Not doing so could mean that your brand message gets lost somewhere between your business card and Google profile. Instead, make sure your brand can easily be recognized and inspires your targeted audience to remember who you are and what your brand stands for across all platforms.

Make a brand difference.™

Adobe Flash on Google

According to Google Insights for Search, which examines the past values for the terms you've entered, can be used to help your forecasts, and make predictions of future terms (keywords).  As far back as April 2005 the terms "Flash on Google" have consistently grown in popularity from a mere 13% interest to 82% interest as of the date of this article.  Predictions for searching these same terms are predicted to steadily increase.

In the categories of Computers & Electronics, the Flash® Platform is still one of the most powerful web development software in the market.  Flash® allows for outstanding graphics, lifelike interaction –The Adobe® Flash® Player is a cross-platform, browser-based application runtime that provides uncompromised viewing of expressive applications, content, and videos across browsers, operating systems, Flash® on mobile devices – now leading the 3D to games on the web


Edelman Inc. (Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with 63 offices and more than 4,200 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities.), Lisa Auslen of San Francisco talks about Adobe's reaction to Apple's lack of Flash – Lisa highlights the benefits of Adobe's CS5 and Flash technologies.


Why then are there website developers and people in general still saying things like "Google can't read Flash," or "Flash® is not good for Search Engine Optimization," or "Flash® is too hard to update."  The primary reason is, those website developers are not trained in Flash® development, HTML is easy to copy and resell as their own code, and lack of research on the topic.


The truth is Adobe® Flash® is not difficult for those well trained and experienced in Flash® website development. The most intuitive and creative websites use Flash® to offer visitors more options and interactivity than possible with basic or even advanced HTML / HTML5.

With Google holding 65.1% (9 billion out of 13.8 billion searches) of the U.S. search engine market, and the next closest Yahoo! holding just 16.1% (2.6 billion searches), it's very important that you know the truth about who can see or not see your website on Google.


So what is the truth about Flash® on Google? Flash® is just as, if not more visible and valuable to search optimization on Google.  With proper Flash® website development, Google has the ability to drill into websites built with Flash® software. No long-winded answers. Just the facts. Included in this article are recent screen captures that show Google search results for a small Flash® website built by an experienced Flash® website developer. Notice how the Google search results have extracted the website navigation button names and keywords that attract visitors to the products being sold. Google has even captured a picture of the website homepage in full color, just as clear as any HTML website.

Making the most of QR Code technology

More and more QR Codes are showing up. I have seen QR Code technology – on magazine advertisements, real estate signs, direct mail envelopes and postcards, brochures, t-shirts, business cards, restaurant table tents, and window decals – just about everywhere so it seems. 

Besides Near-field Communication (NFC), where you make communications between devices – hold your phone near the receiver like many credit/debit cards at checkout, or more recently you may have used your badge to access a secured office, QR Codes are an easy way to help readers/prospects make communications between from paper/print to digital – leading to websites, email, PDF files, images, apps, wifi login, and the list of destinations is almost endless.  

If you're clueless about what a QR Code is or how you can use the QR Code technology to beef up your brand exposure and marketing, this may be the technology you've needed. The QR Code, short for "Quick Response" is a square image that can be printed on your marketing collateral. The image is not something you read with your eyes, but it is readable like a barcode that your smartphone can read. If you've been to Japan, this comes as no surprise - it's been used there for a long time and just now starting to make its way into mainstream marketing in the USA.

The post is updated from time to time as I see unique instances of QR Code use and how it's shifting the ways we communicate and collaborate with customers.  Subscribe to this blog "Best Marketing Consultants in The World #AskGoogle" to get email notifications.

Apollo Building Products Catalog QR Code access to Digital Catalog.

McDonald's Wall Wrap QR Code Outdoor Graphic Decal

Round Business Card QR Code Special Marketing Offers

McDonald's My Rewards Join Now Scan QR Code on Bag

Kroger QR Code Earn Rewards on Groceries and Fuel POS Decal

FedEx Office Send. Print. Go. QR Code to Printing from your phone via printandgo@fedex.com

Vital Farms Join Our Flock QR Code Exclusive Savings Email Sign-up

Starbucks Rewards QR Code on Table Top Decal to Download App

Contactless Payment QR Code for Tom Thumb Deals and Rewards App

Denny's Restaurant QR Code lets you view the menu from your mobile device

Playworld Systems PlayPod Playground QR Code used to report equipment damage.

Chick-fil-A "Be our guest" QR Code offers customers Free breakfast menu items.

Square.com Point of Sale app QR Code used to Activate Debit Card / Square Card.

Smartphone use rises daily in the mobile market, popular brands are starting to take advantage of a better marketing mixture. As far back as 2011, when this QR Code article was first published,  Nielsen Wire, was reporting about low-tech material (mailers, newspapers, printed material in-store) still has the most popular consumer reach – Adding QR Codes connects low-tech with the latest technology.

Pharmacy Free Flu Shots QR Code to learn more about safety precautions.

Chauffeur Driver Employee Identification Card QR Code used to verify driver safety. 

Graphic design by Oevae Marketing Consultants

Starbucks QR Code Join Starbucks Rewards More fun.  More free stuff.

McDonald's QR Code turns your receipt into a coupon.

Exclusive Savings and Pizza Perks at CiCi's Pizza when you scan QR Code 

QR Code Parking Meter using PayByPhone.com – the most convenient way to pay for parking

Get special offers at Olive Garden when you scan the QR code on the beverage coaster.

Consumers are now learning that they can download a free QR Code Reader app on Android or iPhone that will scan the QR Code to uncover special messages, discounts, websites, telephone numbers, social media links, events dates, email messages, contact details, and much more. Add this to the smartphone web browser and you've just added a unique voice to your brand message.

QR Codes used on Direct Mail Promotion 

So where can you get your QR Code? Search Google for "QR Code Generator" and you'll have your share of websites that allow you to create your own QR Code in about 5 minutes.  We like QR Stuff, a Free Online QR Code Creator and Encoder for T-Shirts, Business Cards, and Stickers. The QR Code photos in this blog post are added and updated as we find new uses for QR Codes and how various businesses are using QR Code technology.

Last update Tuesday, June 7, 2022