301 Redirects

A 301 redirect is implemented when a web page changes its destination URL. Its job is to inform and re-direct the search engine spider of this move.

Think of it as a removal service…

• When you have an office move such as Leapfrogg have recently you need to be able to transport all of you new information to your new destination. This is the job of a 301 re-direct, it should preserve your search engine rankings for a particular page.
  
  
• Or if you change page names or are moving files around then this is a great safety net enabling you to maintain your web presence.
  


• 301 is a code, it translates to a search engine that a page or URL has moved permanently after the code the missing URL or named page is noted by the search engine and follows through to the new path.

Every moving day needs a removal man…

• You can set in place a re-direct by contacting your developer and asking them to set one up using the .htaccess file. This file contains the specific instructions for the re-direct, including security information, redirection issues and how to handle certain errors.
  
  
• The next time a search engine spider reaches your website the rule within the .htaccess file re-directs it to the correct destination (you wouldn’t want your office furniture ending up in a cake shop – or perhaps you would!)



• The spider doesn't actually read the .htaccess file, but recognizes the response from the server as valid.

Leapfroggs Getting Greener!

We have always made a huge effort to be as ‘green’ as we possibly can, we run a virtually paper free office and have done since Leapfrogg time began, 11 out of 13 froggers walk or take public transport to and from work each day, we use PDQ as our office supplier who in my opinion has to be one of the most environmentally friendly office suppliers in the world! The list goes on…..

Since the move from serviced offices into our very own leased offices we are doing even more about reducing our Carbon Footprint. We have recently set up a mini recycling centre in our offices and have enlisted the help of Magpie, our locally based recycling gurus, to help us recycle anything that we possibly can!

As we continue to set up the services for the new office we will be making sure that we select suppliers that think the same way we do when it comes to doing what’s best for the environment and our local community and of course are in tune with our moral and ethical standards! Watch this space, as froggs we have a duty to get even greener!

Google’s Friend Connect and the issue of moderation

Google’s Friend Connect, which allows site owners to quickly and easily add social gadgets to their sites, including comment / review functionality, image galleries and members list looks neat. After all… what better way to breath life into a static information site, than ask the readers and rather users, for their input?



As we’re all well aware, reviews and indeed any feedback from customers and users is worth its weight in gold. However, despite the ease of use of Friend Connect, my biggest concern (over and above how ugly it is: http://www.mylatestpiece.com/) is that of moderation.

The video introduction said nothing about being able to delete posts… ban users or even moderating posts before they go live. It would only take a disgruntled customer with an OpenSocial ID to cause havoc!

Gaining traffic from the social network of your users is certainly attractive, particularly when membership to Friend Connect spaces appears in the users mini feed…


But I remain on the fence… I’m still watching and awaiting the release on Monday.. but I’m still on the fence.

Find out more about Google's Friend Connect and let us know what you think... and whether you'll be recommending or adding it to your website.

Film, edit & upload a video in less than 4 hours

Image by art.implausible via Flickr
Simon and I of the social media team here at Leapfrogg set ourselves a challenge, "to film, edit & upload a video in less than 4 hours".

Our main reason for doing this was to demonstrate that video content:

1) isn't difficult to produce
2) need not cost the earth
3) doesn't need to take weeks to organise & complete.

What we used to create the video:

• A Laptop with basic editing software like imovie or movie maker
• A digital camera
• A kitchen
• 2 actors (simon and claire are available for weddings, blessings and bar mitzvahs)

A break down of our video production time is:

• Planning - 60 mins
• Filming - 40mins
• Sourcing music - 2 mins
• Editing - 80 mins

Total: 182 minutes - around 3 hours from start to finish.

and here it is, hope you like it and please get those digital cameras out and start filming NOW!



Video content is vital to a website, especially with video creeping into the search listings, it is a useful way to differentiate your business & your website from the rest.

Video is fantastic for product reviews - interacting with customers - building communities - reaching the mass market, humanising corporate entities & getting links to your site!

The fact of the matter is, if you aren't making a video now... you can bet your competitors are!

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PS: If you have made or want to join in the 4 hour challange let us know about it so we can all be happy video friends together email us at: socialmedia@leapfrogg.co.uk

Leapfrogg in Sunday Times!!

We were delighted to be featured in an article in the Sunday Times business section this weekend. Titled Searching to get to the top of Google the article highlights that more and more firms are investing in natural SEO to get themselves noticed on the Internet.

Have a read, there are some interesting thoughts and views.