The Move is Complete

We have completed our move into city centre now being the new tenants of 4 Upper Mallow Street, Limerick City. So if anyone is interested in helping us unpack call in and we'll provide the refreshments from our friends Tavola Calda Cafe across the road. :)

Whizzkids Website is Live

We have just launched Whizzkids new website design.

Gary and his Wife Derval have been in operation since 2002 and have delivered courses and camps to thousands of children right across the country.
Since its inception Whizzkids have focussed on delivering training to teens and pre-teens and has always sought fun and innovative ways to pass on IT skills that can be so rewarding as a creative outlet or for a career.

We were delighted to be able to get help out, with their logo design right through to the Design, Devlopment and Hosting of thier new website.

Website Design Stages

Website Design (The Stages of your new website, to create Quality Custom Designs)

1. The first step in the process is the compilation of all your ideas and requirements likes and dislikes in a document called the Client Brief.
   
2. After reviewing the brief document we start the design process by creating your own unique company logo.
   
3. When you have chosen your logo we then move on to select the colour scheme for your new website.
   
4. The next step is creating a custom made design concept for your website. Through a process of client design feedback we finalise your website design.
   
5. Once your design is finalised, receipt of all content material including, text and images is required. As this is can be the most lengthy of all the stages we recommend that you start compiling this information from day one.
   
6. When all content is available we then build your website to the latest specifications including any extra features desired by you.
   
7. When you are happy with your website, get the champagne ready as we are now ready for the big launch...
   

We are currently looking for Office Space

Plans are afoot to float our Web Development Studio into the heart of Limerick City.

Over the last few weeks Michael and Eoin have been courting city landlords in their search for a suitable new home for ideabubble. With the move we hope to be able to spend a little more quality time with our clients, promising a free cup of tea and Jaffa cake everytime you call by.

So the balls are in motion, or should I say the bubbles are a floating.

Search Engine Ranking How to Enter the Coveted Bracket

In the Internet Marketing world, higher search engine ranking automatically translates into higher revenues. However, its easier said than done. Given the magnitude of competition among the online marketers to barge into the #10 search engine ranking slot, it takes nothing short of the guidance of a professional and experienced SEO firm to reach the top ten search engine ranking bracket.

The journey to the top-ten search engine ranking begins with the most appropriate keyword research for a given website. Keywords are the nucleus of search engine marketing science; hence, the very selection of keywords can virtually make or break an online marketing campaign. Professional SEO firms are equipped with the experience in keyword selection and they use the most advanced keyword research tools to determine the right keywords.

However, achieving top search engine ranking is much more than just selecting keywords. The judicious use of keywords on your website is what plays a vital role in attaining top search engine ranking. Usually, SEO firms adopt a wide range of search engine optimisation techniques to help their customers achieve the pinnacle of search engine ranking. These techniques essentially include if not limited to:

• On-Page Optimisation
• Off-Page Campaign
• HTML Validation
• URL Optimisation
• Web Content Optimisation

Search Engine Optimization is all about persistent innovation and keeping up with the changing search engine algorithms of major search engines. It is important to choose the right SEO firm that knows how to place your website in the top-ten search engine ranking. At Searchbubble, we are an experience SEO firm in Limerick, Ireland, having enviable performance history in search engine optimisation. We believe in helping our customers achieve the top-ten search engine ranking through ethical search engine optimisation process.

Would you like to boost your online presence on Google, Yahoo and MSN? Get in touch and we will gladly advise you on the available avenues in the online world of search engines and ranking.

The Ideas Campaign Get Involved Make a Difference

Well if you haven't yet heard about the current economic crisis well get the kettle on, I'm booking a one way ticket to where ever you have been for the last 5 months.

Its every where, radio television, the papers and not to mention every other person I meet whom suddenly has become an expert Economic Analyst. Everyone is talking about it.

So why not get involved and pitch all those ideas that are being bounced from conversation to conversation.

The Ideas Campaign is calling on you, the people of Ireland, to propose solutions that will help rebuild the economy. It is a grassroots, independent campaign for citizens, by citizens.

As my father once said "talking never got the cows to the market!"
So get clicking get involved.

Top Ten Social Networks Worldwide

What are the most popular Social Networks out there today?

1. Blogger (222 million)
2. Facebook (200 million)
3. MySpace (126 million)
4. Wordpress (114 million)
5. Windows Live Spaces (87 million)
6. Yahoo Geocities (69 million)
7. Flickr (64 million)
8. hi5 (58 million)
9. Orkut (46 million)
10. Six Apart (46 million)
    *All figures are rounded up and courtesy of comscore.com
    

Watch out for twitter, recently launched and so not incorporated in these figures but watch this space.

Increase Your Online Ranking

One of the most frequent questions we get asked here at ideabubble web development Studio is how do I gain a number one placing in search engine rankings? Well here are a few hints?

1. Submit your site to online free directories
2. Write an article related to your site and submit it to article sites
3. Sign up to forums in your field and leave comments with a link to your site
4. Create a monthly newsletter
5. Access Social networks and set up a Accounts for your business, ie. Facebook, twitter, MySpace etc

Most important of all is to remember that whatever you do, do it well.

HTML versus Plain Text emails.

Many of our clients ask the question whether or not they should use plain text versus HTML when sending an email. Well here are a few pointers to take note.

What is meant by HTML\Plain Text emails?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it is the dominant language for Web pages. It helps you to see different headings, paragraphs, lists, embedded images, interactive forms, etc. It's like a script code that may look confusing to you, but when you have it all in regular view, you can see everything you need to see. On the other hand, plain text is just text and it's completely unformatted with no fancy work.

What is the purpose of an email?

The main purpose of an email is to communicate a message in a quick and convenient fashion.

Benefits of Using HTML

1. You are able to use various graphics and images in order to gain the audience's attention.
   

Down sides of Using HTML

1. Messages with HTML embedded take up more disk space and are therefore slower to respond. 
   
2. Differing audiences have varied systems soothe use of HTML increases the chances of your message being corrupt and illegible
   
3. It is possible to be infected by virus's that attach themselves to the HTML code. These viruses are programmed to activate upon opening of the message.
   
4. There is also a privacy issue with using HTML. HTML email can be used to surreptitiously gather information about you and send it back to ANY web site. A web bug can be inside the HTML code. The web bug acts just like the FBI's bugs or wire taps. It listens to you, records your actions and reports back to headquarters.
   

So in short if you just want to communicate a message my advice is to use plain text where ever possible and avoid the use of HTML.

Note: Remember to change your settings on your email to: "view as plain text" 

Sarah O'Kennedy's Brand New Website Goes Live

ideabubble Web Development Studio launches Sarah O'Kennedy's brand new website.

Sarah O'Kennedy's new website offers its viewers, an array of gems such as clips of Sarah's new album titled "The Irish Wedding Album" alongside video footage of her enchanting duet with Anuna. Audiences are now able to order her new album or even book that very special day with just a few clicks of the mouse.

ideabubble Web Development Studios, Your web Development Partner

Floating our bubble in September 2008, as a small Web Development studio we provide for you, our customers, a full and comprehensive web development package.
Nestled in the Technology park here in Limerick, with close ties with other web development studios in the area such as Digino in Ballina/Killaloe, and further afield webtrade in Dublin, we will bring together all our expertise so to demystify the whole process of web Development.

We will create your new website using the latest innovations in design and development, while always ensuring the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your website Design and Development requirements.

Salamandar's New Coat

Another bubble has emerged from the ideabubble pond with the launch of Salamandar.net.
Salamandar the Irish language drama company contacted us in their quest for a new look. From their stationary all the way to their new website, Salamandar has shed its old scales for the new, to the envy of its suitors.

Choosing Your Web Development Partner

When shopping for your website, how do you choose which Web Development company to go with? Do I go with the big company with their expansive portfolio or do I go with the smaller studios and their customer centric approach?
Well here are a few pointers to take note before you sign on the dotted line:

1. Credentials - Make a shortlist of web design companies with potential
2. Experience - Spend some time looking at their portfolios and Testimonials
3. Contact - Are they local? Meet them and see if you like them.
4. Make sure they understand business (not just how to build a website)
5. Vision - Do they understand how to target customers?
6. Shop around - Make your final assessment of their proposal and cost
7. Contract - Ensure a detailed contract with timelines is agreed
8. Ongoing Support - Will it cost, is it available 24 hours a day?

There is also a list of Website Design and Development awards that you can have a look out for when choosing your Web Development Partner such as:

Digital Media Awards
Golden Spider Awards
Inspired Awards
Favourite Website Awards
Interactive Media Awards
Web Awards
Webby Awards

Smartfixsolutions Gets a Brand New "Brand"

Downing their work belts for the PC, identifying the necessity of Brand management in today's highly competitive marketplace, the boys at smartfix solutions contacted us to develop a Brand Strategy for their product.
Recognising the need to of having a well thought out Brand Concept of identifying their own personal Brand Personality and Image and conveying this to the marketplace in the most effective way given the tools in ideabubble's arsenal, was something that they felt was essential to gain that all important competitive advantage.

Web Design Team Expansion

I just wanted to take a little time to introduce myself the newest member of the ideabubble team. I have been handed over the exciting role of Online Marketing Developer known to all as the "Marketing Guy". So whether it is colours for your new logo or even ideas for your Online Marketing Strategy, I will be only happy to help get the creative juices flowing. I look forward to working with you in the very near future.

Maurice
"Your Marketing Guy"

Mary Immaculate Students Union goes digital

The Students Union at Limerick's teacher training college Mary Immaculate have an exciting new website.

Developed by ideabubble using the Joomla! Content Management System (CMS) the website features a wide range of features including Event Calendars, Photo Galleries, Blogs and more. The CMS was completely tailored from theme to content to meet the detailed specification provided by the students union. The website features the strong new colourful branding developed by Limerick designers Neville Design.

The new website has been a huge success since its launch in September 2008 with the students who use the website to stay informed about the Students Union activities, services and support.

For more information visit www.misu.ie.