Google is changing their SEO ranking algorithm

Google is foreclosing on content farms with shallow content.  HOORAY!

For far too long Google has rewarded quantity of content over quality of content.  These sites that do nothing but scrape content from other sites and then link - are baloney.   I for one will be glad to see them go.  However, there are many SEO teams in Gainesville that will need to change their strategies.

Read more about google’s change in SEO.

Official Press Release from Google about their change in Search Engine Results.

Google is telling us “Many of the changes we make are so subtle that very few people notice them. But in the last day or so we launched a pretty big algorithmic improvement to our ranking—a change that noticeably impacts 11.8% of our queries”

Total360Sports for the University of Florida stadiums is reaching people in ways we never even thought possible when we were creating the application.

 With Ozean’s latest launch of the Total360Sports Panoramic Seat Selector, we expected a large reaction. We didn’t realize at first, however, just how much our application could affect people on a really personal level.

 The application, which we aptly named Total360Sports, generates a panoramic virtual tour for hundreds of points at a sporting venue. The ticket holder is able to enter in their section, row and seat number and is immediately transported to the view from that seat in the stadium, which they can rotate a full 360 degrees and even zoom in. Views are even available from a number of special interest points, such as center court at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center and the “F” point at Ben Hill Griffin, taken during the Florida vs. Florida State game in November 2009.

Over 12,000 photographs were taken at 3 sports venues at the University of Florida and were strung together to construct a view just as realistic and accurate as what fans will see when they are physically there. So realistic, in fact, that many Gator alumni, upon first glance of the new technology, are struck with a whirlwind of nostalgia that brings them back to their college days of rooting for the Gators from the student section. At least, this is true for one soldier serving in the Middle East, who is currently on his second tour.

 News of the new application caught his interest, and he decided to visit GatorZone.com to see the full virtual experience in action. 
 

“The view from the “F” is a slice of heaven from home that made my week,” he said. Since the shot was taken during the infamous rivalry game, the stadium is filled to capacity and Chaz Henry is in plain view. The soldier was impressed by how lifelike the panoramas actually are, as compared to other similar virtual applications which use a computer-generated method to give fans a cyber-tour of the stadium. It’s safe to say that the one created by Ozean and for the University of Florida has a far more genuine feel.

From overseas, it was impossible to visit the Ben Hill Griffin football stadium, but now, with the virtual tour, he can be reminded of the excitement of being at a Gator game as if it were yesterday.

All the hours Ozean put into taking the thousands of individual photos of the stadiums was worth it – even if we were able to affect one person with such magnitude. We hope, however, that we can extend this level of fan enthusiasm and interaction throughout the Gator Nation.

To check out this experience for yourself, visit GatorZone.com and click on Tickets and then Locate Seats.

The New York Times ran a fantastic article on the downside of some companies’  SEO practices, the companies that use them, and the ramifications of using companies that use black-hat tactics.

New York Times - Feb 11, 2011 Search Optimization:  The dirty little secrets. The story of JC Penny, cheating at SEO, link farms, and the penalties for cheating.

I can not tell you how many clients have asked us to get them to “number 1 in google” - and then become frustrated that it takes longer than 48 hours.

I can’t tell you how frustrated I am - when Ozean does it the right way - and people get away with cheating.  If there is any justice, it is that eventually Google will catches up.  If you are thinking about going the SEO black hat route, ask yourself, what happens when you get banned?

SEO or Search Engine Marketing is difficult, time consuming, and requires a consistent and constant diligence.  Heck, just when you have a handle on it - Google, Bing, or Yahoo will go and change the rules.

If you are interested in search engine optimization or search engine marketing , give someone a call that is NOT going to get you banned from Google or the other search engines.

For the past year, Ozean has waited patiently on the sideline. Our company has continued to workout hard, run stadiums, and focus on what was important…our chance to play the game. Today, on February 4, 2011, we’ve been given the go-ahead. We are no longer sitting on the sideline. Instead, we are in the middle of the action, playing the game!

screen shot from Gatorzone.com

Ozean partnered with the University of Florida’s Athletic Association to design and develop a Panoramic Seat Locator Application, and now it is live for fans to see and interact with! The Panoramic Seat Locator, now called Total360Sports, is a 360° panoramic virtual tour for sporting venues that shows multiple views within each section of the stadium or arena.

Approximately 12,000 photographs, 3 stadiums, and 612 data points later (not to mention, over 15 pounds of combined weight loss between Lauren Kruglanski and Alex Patton – the majority of which was lost by Alex after doing stadiums a few times to get all of the required photographs), the virtual experience of Total360Sports has launched.

Want to see Ozean’s magic? Curious to get started and find your view from your seat in the stadium? Visit GatorZone’s website!. From that point, you can select which stadium you want to view.

For the University of Florida, we have taken this idea from conception to reality for all three major sports stadiums:

• Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
• Stephen C. O’Connell Center
• Alfred A. McKethan Stadium

“I love the level of customer service Total360Sports brings to our fans,” said Mark Gajda, Assistant Athletic Director of Ticketing for the University of Florida Athletic Association. “It is very easy to use for any fan, young or old.”

Total360Sports is not only a clean and useful web application, but a practical tool that can be advantageous to your website. Fans can now be even more engaged, since Total360Sports interactive virtual tours uniquely create greater fan interaction and enthusiasm, as well as sales for your business. The Total360Sports web application offers panoramic views comprised entirely of actual photographs, complete with icons that designate men and women’s bathrooms, first aid and wheelchair seating.

Total360Sports has:

• Immersive 360° panoramas
• Particular points within each section of the field or court
• Ability to view panoramas in full-screen mode
• Ability to zoom in and out of each point in full-screen mode
• User-friendly interface
• Branding specifically for your athletics program
• Ability for fans to compare seats/sections
• Ability for fans to search the application by entering their section, row, and seat
• Hotspot icons within the panoramas – men’s restrooms, women’s restrooms, first aid, and telephones
• Ability to serve ads and update with advertising messages and/or sponsorships

The benefits of these features truly reign supreme. Total 360Sports significantly increases fan engagement and enthusiasm, therefore increasing total time spent on your website. The rewards are immeasurable.

What are some of our favorite points? Lauren’s favorite is center court at the basketball stadium, and Alex has claimed the view from the “F” point at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, taken during the Florida vs. Florida State game in November 2009. Since it was taken during the actual game, the stadium is filled to capacity and Chas Henry is in plain view, looking directly toward our cameraman wondering what on earth he is doing.

At Ozean Interactive, we are thrilled to have been given this opportunity to develop a web application with the Gator Nation, available only at GatorZone.com, the official website of the Florida Gators. It was such an honor partnering with the University Athletic Association since all of us at Ozean Interactive are avid Gator fans.

“We are receiving considerable interest from additional athletic venues, and we look forward to growing this sector of our business; however, being Gator fans we may have to initiate a ‘rival gator fan tax’,” joked Alex Patton. “In all seriousness, we are honored to partner with the Gator Nation; however, in this economy, we would even work with Auburn University. Call us.”

To read the complete Press Release about the Launch of Total360Sports with The University of Florida Gators.

Note: The site has been undergoing a soft launch since Dec, 2010 while in beta testing.

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive recently launched a new website for ONE Source Nutrition, LLC.  The website is designed and built for people interested in weight loss and can be found at http://weightloss.1sourcenutrition.com.

ONE Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutritional drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible.

A website designed for people who need a weight loss nutrition plan

This niche website is visually targeted specifically for people who desire to lose weight and implements a feature inviting customer participation. Viewers of the website have the ability to ask a question on the website and have it answered by a professional nutritionist.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits

• Account Executive: Alex Patton

• Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh

• Developer: Alex Patton

• Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive is pleased to present the new targeted website designed for client ONE Source Nutrition, LLC. The website is designed and built for active moms on the go and can be seen at http://activemoms.1sourcenutrition.com.

ONE Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutrition drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible.

A website catered to moms on the go

This niche website is visually targeted specifically for active moms and implements a feature inviting customer participation. Viewers of the website have the ability to ask a question on the website and have it answered by a professional nutritionist.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits

• Account Executive: Alex Patton

• Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh

• Developer: Alex Patton

• Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive proudly announces a new website for client ONE Source Nutrition, LLC.  The website is designed and built for active seniors and is located at http://activeseniors.1sourcenutrition.com.

ONE Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutritional drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible.

A website designed for seniors who need the right nutrition

This niche website is targeted specifically for seniors and implements a feature inviting customer participation. Viewers of the website have the ability to ask a question on the website and have it answered by professional nutritionist.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits

• Account Executive: Alex Patton

• Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh

• Developer: Alex Patton

• Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive is excited to announce the launch of a new website for its client One Source Nutrition, LLC.  The website is designed and built for athletes and focuses on athletic nutrition. It can be found at http://athletes.1sourcenutrition.com.

One Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutritional drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible. 

A website for athletes seeking optimal nutrition.

This niche website is visually targeted specifically for athletes and implements a feature inviting customer participation. Viewers of the website have the ability to ask a question on the website and have it answered by an athletic trainer.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits

• Account Executive: Alex Patton

• Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh

• Developer: Alex Patton

• Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive is excited to announce that its newest website for ONE Source Nutrition, LLC has been launched. The website is a hub for four different niche markets that the ONE Source product appeals to and can be found at www.1sourcenutrition.com.

ONEsource hub site screen shot.

ONE Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutritional drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible.

The website is a hub for websites serving four different niche markets and includes a jQuery and JavaScript slider that features the four different “themes” of the website. The website is built on a content management system and Google Analytics. With SEO friendly development the website is ready to be found across all major search engines.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits

Account Executive: Alex Patton
Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh
Developer: Alex Patton
Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman

Gainesville, FL – Ozean Interactive’s recent work for ONEsource Nutrition, LLC has resulted in a new e-commerce website. The website is a fully functional e-commerce solution and is located at the following ecommerce URL http://buynow.1sourcenutrition.com/.

ONE Source Nutrition, LLC was founded in 2004 by Kyle Knight. Mr. Knight invented a nutritional drink with an extended shelf life, great taste, and optimal nutrition. The name of Mr. Knight’s high performance nutritional beverage became ONEsource. With twenty years of formulation, ONEsource is designed for the best nutrition and convenience possible.

A fully functional E-Commerce solution

This e-commerce solution is fully integrated using the Magento platform. Using Magento’s features Ozean was able to help ONEsource nutrition bolster its online store with features such as coupon codes, order fulfillment, and the support of a well developed SQL database.

Ozean specializes in website design, website development, social media, and internet advertising for businesses in competitive industries, such as construction, physicians, and attorneys.

Website Credits:

• Account Executive: Alex Patton

• Creative Director/Designer: Patrick Prugh

• Developer: Alex Patton

• Project Manager: Jennifer Weinman