harimon

macna
Host the mobile site on your domain and add monthly hosting fees...

gandrews711

Exactly!

From the hints she's left, it seems Irene has some remarkable improvements in store, but we need to be patient. She's done an outstanding job so far, so let's give her a chance to post her updates.

Regarding the concerns about a "white label" product, I agree with the quote above. If the average business person could handle something of this complexity, he'd already be doing it. If he or she wanted to find out how it's done, the client could certainly find out.

Penn and Teller have built their performances on "giving away" the secrets of many of their illusions. They know the average Joe isn't going to spend the thousands of hours of practice perfecting the moves to replicate their tricks. Instead, the throngs of fans who crowd their nightly shows appreciate their skills all the more.

No matter what size your community, if you are so unsure about the value you add to the relationship that you feel compelled to hide behind a veil of smoke and secrecy, perhaps consulting isn't the right line for you. Ask yourself: are you serving your clients, or conning them?

A handyman friend of mine told me a story recently of a customer who called him after spending an afternoon trying to remove the flush handle on his own toilet. My friend, who makes no secret of what brand of tools he uses, simply asked the customer if he knew that the piece of hardware in question had a left-handed thread. Flustered, the customer called back five minutes later. Problem solved.

Sometimes it's not so much what tool you use, as knowing how to use it. Don't sell yourself short.

--George

Big B SD

Irene,

I just wanted to say thank you for all the help that you provided me with my site and figuring out what was wrong with the tables so quickly. After tinkering around with the generator for a while I've come to love it! It's so simple to use once you get the hang of it. Now off to play with the Fan Page Generator! Thanks for the great product and can't wait for all the great future updates!! Hope your hand heals up quickly.

Marcus-1

I read somewhere about the story of a consultant, it went along the lines of:
He was called into a plant that was having problems getting their power to the generators.
No one could figure out what the problem was, why the generators were not getting the energy they needed. The managers had been working on this issue for days.
Eventually, they called the consultant in. He looked around for an hour or so, and he took an hammer and struck a particular pipe. Suddenly everything started to run smoothly. The very next week the company gets a bill for $10,000.
Outraged, the manager shoots back an email. "what do you mean by this bill, you where only here for an hour" The reply? My one hour charge is for $100. The charge for knowing which pipe to strike is $9,900.
Knowledge is truly priceless!!
The things some of you worry about, are truly meaningless.
Be the expert! Go fishing! Will some get away? Sure. Do you really care? You should not.
If you do...It's just another reason to sit there and not get started at all.
Go Fishing!!

jimbo3891

How many times have I used this story in my 20+ years of sales...it never fails to get a chuckle and the hearer generally understands the lesson.

JDD

cybercopy

I agree wholeheartedly with both sides of the "white label" issue...there are pros and cons with each that should be weighed. To each his own.

Personally I would rather avoid the issue if at all possible.

For example, just like the best medicine is always "preventative medicine." Why would I subject myself to something that would cause illness, pain, suffering, strife or any other negative things?

I prefer to use "preventative medicine" in my business always.

Say one day a customer gets wind of what is going on through the admin area, gets all butt hurt and decides to discontinue paying you. Do you want to spend your time chasing him down explaining how futile his efforts would be if he tried to replicate your offer? You may even lose a future customer or two from his negative feedback to other biz owners.

Do you really want to jump this hurdle?

Having the admin videos and the /ezmb folder is in no way a deal breaker - it just makes sense to remove them and avoid the negative possibilities altogether.

The time you spent trying to appease is better spent trying to please!

Now weigh the pros and cons and figure which pipe to bang on.

gasawp

Looks good Irene,
Just bought.

Regards

Gary

ktmakwana

Is it possible to customise the icons used on the menu buttons?

jimbo3891

After sleeping on it overnight AND reading this post, the solution is pretty obvious. If you want to hide certain things (like the training videos pages in the admin), use a WP plugin to hide those pages from certain roles when they're logged in. Use Role Manager (another WP plugin) to create roles for your users and hide anything you don't want them to see via the plugin that hides sections/pages. I've done that with websites I've built to keep people out of sections that they don't really need to be into.

JDD

gandrews711

The dual plugin approach suggested by jimbo3891 is interesting, assuming it's fully compatible with EzMobileSiteGenerator. I remain hopeful, however, that Irene will be able to break out the features so some may be hidden, if the developer desires. Do not forget that Irene has a YouTube channel devoted to the product, and that anyone even just knowing the name could stumble upon all of its secrets.

Or, you could just tell your client that you'll be using the latest, most advanced WordPress plugin to create a custom mobile site compatible with their existing Web presence and fully satisfying their mobile needs. Of course, you'll also be bringing your impeccable design and optimization skills into the mix to provide them the best possible solution, coupling a mobile rendition of elements from their existing site with the appropriate mobile features to keep them fully compliant with the best practices recommended by Google and others.

Even if you think that's mostly BS, it doesn't hurt to declare yourself as the authority and suggest that your expertise adds significant value to the bargain. You can't see the goal by looking over your shoulder unless you're running in the wrong direction.

--George

jimbo3891

You're right George.

I do a lot of woodworking and have some really COOL woodworking tools - and guess what? Anyone can buy the same tools that I have and will have access to the tools that do the same jobs that I do. I can build/make anything that is custom that you want. Right now, I'm doing a raised panel wainscoting for a friend of mine to go all around his first floor of his house.

Could he do it? Yes, if he bought the same tools that I have. Could anyone here on the forum do it? Absolutely, if they bought the same tools that I have. Oh, and there's this little addition to the mix - they'd need the knowledge and skills that I've developed over time to do it as well.

Can my neighbor do it? Yes, he has the knowledge and skills - but not the tools. So, why doesn't he just buy the tools to do it himself? Because he has a PhD in Chemistry and is working on next year's flu vaccine. That is his main JOB and that's what pays the bills. He's smart enough to realize that his time is better spent at his job and trying to do what he can pay me to do for him. We both win that way.

Can anyone here on the forum do this? Absolutely - tools, knowledge, and skill. Can anyone that I meet do it? Sure, same qualifications. Most people are lacking either the tools, knowledge, or skills to do what we do - be it woodworking, automotive repair, or internet marketing (in any phase). Besides, even if they have the tools, knowledge, and skills, if they're a successful business person, they should still be smart enough to realize that it's just smarter to hire someone else to do it and be busy about doing that which makes them the most money - running their business.

If they can do everything we do AND still run their business, then they don't need us and they're not a potential client. Move on to the ones that recognize your skills and need/appreciate them. They'll be willing to pay you what you're worth for it.

JDD

inneraction

Yes, you would just choose customized icon directly below where you have the option to select the icons that are uploaded.

gandrews711

[I've seen some mention of this on the thread, but I thought I'd address the issue directly.]

I have a question, and I presume some folks here know a lot more about this than I do. The EzMSG plugin allows for various techniques: setting up a subdomain or subfolder to encompass the mobile site, installing everything on a .mobi domain paired with the main site's domain, or using a common domain to provide solutions for multiple clients. It seems the last approach is what Irene is using herself, and it's the most appealing to me as well. However, I'm unclear about the SEO implications.

After spending some time reviewing YouTube videos by Google's Matt Cutts and others, as well as having visited dozens of sites claiming authority in this regard, I'm still a bit confused. It seems reasonable that if I redirect mobile queries from the client's home site to one owned by me, I avoid becoming the client's de facto Webmaster. However, from an SEO standpoint, adding a mobile subdomain to the client's existing site would be a much better approach.

Having a common domain (GottaBMobile.com, for example) centralizes my administration in one spot, leaves me in control of my clients' mobile sites but keeps me away from the main sites (other than the simple redirects), and means I have only a single WP installation to maintain. We'd simply redirect any mobile queries to a client, say KickAssCoffee.com, to my site as KickAssCoffee.GottaBMobile.com (or GottaBMobile.com/KickAssCoffee, I'm not sure which) and go from there.

Elegant, but is that solution reasonable by today's SEO best practices recommendations? Is a 301 redirect appropriate in this case? What's the best method?

Thanks!

--George

djff

Hi jimbo3891 I just downloaded the Role Manager but I can´t find any tutorial about it. Could you please suggest something??

THANKS in advance!!!

DesireWealth2

I think it is really important to focus on things that MAKE you money, not all the obstacles that prevent you from making that money.

As pointed out, sure, your business owner can figure out you are using a plugin and create their own site....but they already paid you the money for the site you created for them so whats the big deal? After All they won't know how you made the site unless they log in...and knowing my business owners as I do, most don't log in even when you give them the log in information.

I teach a WordPress class in my small town, and I can assure you that not many newbie business owners are going to take time away from their business to learn about WordPress just to make ONE SITE...that you already made for them...

Stop focusing on this issue and go out and sell sites. They are selling like hot cakes...I have been on line for a number of years now, and Mobile Sites are the new cool thing....that virtually every one with a business needs.

Your clients can also make free websites if they want...if that is their argument move along...there are over 27 million small business owners in the USA alone as of 2010, so I don't bother with people that want to make trouble.

I say, very nicely great, you go make your site for free, and call me when it is done so I can can give you a free consultation on doing your SEO for it...MY SE...WTF... is that?...the business owner replies....hahaha there are so many things a business owner needs to know...I am not going to waste my time on ones that think they know it all...life is too short and there is so much low hanging fruit out there... so stop focusing on What Ifs and make money with the ones that will value and respect your work.

peterj

Personally I think Irene will take care of the branding issue.

She already said she is dealing with the ezmb in the url structure so removing a few branding links and text isn't gonna be a big deal.

Pete

EricWPM

WELL SAID!!!!

So many people are getting hung up on such minor issues! Quit worrying about white label solutions, who's gonna find the plugin, SEO, redirects, etc.

Just go sell some mobile sites and make some money NOW!!!!

For those wanting white label branding - Are you ready to provide support when your clients call YOU? If your asking questions in this thread then your probably not ready for white label branding or full on WP support. You sold it to the customer to put on their site... now what happens when you customer upgrades WP and breaks something? Or adds an incompatible plugin? or any of the many other options that could happen??? YOU are the one that installed it and now you have to fix it or it will look bad upon you...

For those worried about Mobile SEO - Can anyone show me a mobile website that ranks better than the main website??? Again quit worrying about the implications of SEO with redirects, the EZMB letters, or where it's hosted affecting the SEO. There are so many ways to promote a mobile website... SEO is only a little slice of the overall picture!!! It will become a larger factor later on... but right now it doesn't matter. Go sell some websites!!!

When selling these mobile sites... I've never ONCE had a customer ask me about SEO, 301 redirects, which folder to install it on, or if he could host it on his website because that's the only way he'll buy it, etc...

I sell a solution to his problem... I am the expert and he pays me well to solve his problems. I maintain control, he gets results. Most business owners don't want to know the "hows" or the "whys"... they want a hands off solution to solve their business needs. They have a business to run!!!

If you guys worry too long about the minor details... someone else will come along and sell them a mobile solution. Somebody WILL sell them a mobile site... will it be you or your competitor???

There is no perfect solution... sell them a mobile site now and work with what you have... otherwise you may never leave the starting gate

gandrews711

In essence, Eric, I agree with you. My question (above) was not intended as an excuse for not reaching out to prospects, however. My original question was directed at forum members who have a bit more experience with this sort of project. Personally, I feel Irene has done a very good job with her product and her interest in following up and getting everything as it should be.

The issue I'm facing is in providing the best solution for my clients, not in countering imaginary objections. :rolleyes: The technical details should not be the concern of the client, but that doesn't mean we should ignore best practices. A dozen years ago, animated GIFs and positioning tables were commonplace, but things change. Five years from now, in my opinion, mobile will be THE primary focus for Web communication.

This is a technical question and not so much a sales and marketing issue, so perhaps WF is the wrong place to ask. I'm old enough to know I'll never know everything I should know.

Even with an excellent product like EzMSG, we have choices to take. That is one reason I strongly believe our services have exceptional value. My concern here is just in determining the best architecture: an EmDot subdomain, a DotMobi domain, or a solution shared by several clients on a common domain? Certainly, no one answer will satisfy every client, but can we discuss the merits and drawbacks of each approach?

So the question is, what approach are you as EzMSG developers taking now in filling your clients' requirements, and why have you chosen that particular configuration?

Thanks!

--George

cybercopy

Hi Warriors,

Check it out:
Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Introducing smartphone Googlebot-Mobile

Choose wisely how you intend to build. Think longterm and add value to your clients so you can keep them. The hit and run method of build em - sell em - and fix em later if needed won't win you many future contracts.

Or use the plethora of other methods to drive traffic to your non-seo'd client sites and hope for the best! The search engine landscape is rapidly changing and in the next couple years mobile search will be more important for wise business owners than all other search combined.

Early adapters of mobile search can quickly change their business fortunes.

How do you like that SEO now? Good luck guys...knock em dead!

liquor1979

Hi Irene,

I have problem during making the site demo, i have submit the ticket to your support help desk, ticket id: #131105
hopefully can get the answer quickly

Thanks

Alexius

Cullen Chambers

Sounds like a great article. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks
Cullen Chambers
Hollywood Insider

harimon

Thank you for this important Google post.

So what do you guys think regarding the best way to build mobile sites for getting SEO benefits?

Is the domainname.mobi solution the way to go, or m.domainname.com ?

inneraction

Has anyone heard from Irene lately? Wondering when the next update will be available as she mentioned something would come out this past Monday or Tuesday and she hasn't been on this thread lately. Thanks.

nubus

Nothing from her yet.

getxposed

Ive sent tickets regarding your redirect scripts and still no reply. Any idea when they are ready?

getxposed

yeah I am having the same problem. i build it but now can't even get it to come up on my phone. My problem too is...say my client's site is www.abc.com and he wants a mobile version, so I build it and now when anyone from a mobile phone goes to www.abc.com I want that mobile version I just built to show up instead of their main site.
Now this software says we can make at least 40 client sites there but the question is how is it redirected from main site to mobile ones we did.

phowser

Starting to look like refund time. I'll just keep building html mobile sites - faster loading anyway!

jpeguero

Please guys be patient with Irene...she's working on this.

juan

EricWPM

I can't speak for Irene but i do know that she's busy working on updates...

All the updates being requested don't happen in a day!!! You would understand this if you ever tried coding software

Plus it's the holidays here in the US so I think Irene deserves some time off!!!! I know her wrist was injured so if you can't type because of a hand injury that will slow things down a little.

Please try to have a little patience and understanding...

I know I would rather have have Irene working on updates instead of checking on the thread all day long...

I have subscribed to her youtube channel and have been receiving updates their so if you want the latest you should do the same...

Again between the holidays, her hand injury, time needed to code updates and test them, etc... I think it's only fair to give her some time (more than a day or two) before jumping ship... Some of the requests that you guys are asking for include major code rewrites or worse brand new code that has to be checked for compatibility with existing code...

Rome wasn't built in a day... You can bug the thread all you want but it won't make things happen any faster... just slow the process down...

wmclaren

Hey Guys Irene has added some new Video's to her YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/mobilesitegenerator so I would expect the update to be released shortly.

sunnygal

I have just uploaded EzMobileSiteGenerator Version 1.03.01 to the members area.

The new update is available from
PushButtonComputing | Ez Solutions – Push Button Simple

Click on downloads and enter your username and password, and then click on EzMobileSiteGenerator on your download list.

Download the ZIP file to your computer and then follow these steps.

A. Deactivate the EzMobileSiteGenerator Plugin

B. Delete the plugin from your blog

C. Upload and Install the new version 1.03.01

D. Activate the new version.


This new version provides a facility to redirect your whole blog to one of your mobile sites.

This was a feature requested by several users who wished to install EzMobileSiteGenerator onto a subdomain, or onto a .mobi domain, and have the whole domain or subdomain immediately redirect to the mobile site.

This is all controlled from a single setting on the Default Settings Page. Look for the new setting "Homepage Redirect Settings"

There is a new video explaining how this new feature works.

This video is available in the Tutorial section of the plugin, or our YouTube Channel.


I have also uploaded some bonus mobile redirection scripts.

There is a wordpress plugin that you can use for Wordpress Blogs and a Javascript version for use with HTML pages.

I needed to alter these to take account of the new "Homepage Redirect" feature , but that has been completed now, and these scripts are ready for you to use.

There are videos and an accompanying PDF, covering the installation and use of these bonus scripts, and also a video detailing how you should create a link back from your mobile site to the main site.

Again the videos will be available in the Tutorial section of the plugin, and on our YouTube channel.

An email has just been sent out to all registered users notifying them of the update.

Have a great day,

Irene

sunnygal

The videos will be hidden in a future version.

There are other developments planned which will assist in "white-label" or whatever you want to call it.

Irene

AG2011

Thanks for the update Irene. And also for your tireless efforts. I hope your hand is feeling better.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

sunnygal

George,

Mobile ranking and mobile optimization is going through a period of change, and will probably continue to do so for the next few years.

Anyone that tells you they know EXACTLY how to rank for mobile is probably spouting a load of bull ... and I'll include myself in that comment.

There's lots of issues.

Ranking the traditional site ... and mobile users getting redirected FROM that.

Page load speeds.

Bounce rates.

Google Places ranking.

Reputation management and reviews

These and MANY more factors will be having an impact on how well the mobile site does.

Exactly what level of importance is allocated to each factor .... I certainly don't know ... and I doubt anyone outside the search engines themselves really has much idea at the present time.



Irene

sunnygal

Thanks for that post. I agree wholeheartedly.

Irene

sunnygal

Yep, Absolutely!

Especially "just slow the process down" .... all the helpdesk tickets, emails, PMs, etc asking about when updates are going to be ready just slow me down dramatically.

I have to take time out to check them and make sure that they're not an ultra-urgent customer problem just in case.

I basically had to just stop reading everything completely for 2 days, just so I could focus on getting this update out.

Irene

cicolino

Thanks Irene, great update.

gandrews711

I'll second that! Thank you very much, Irene.

Happy New Year!

--George

pierrebk4

Hi All,

Ok, I'll admit it - I'm confused.

I've read thru Irene's description of the new update a few times, and watched the video a couple of times. But I don't get it. (Maybe to much Christmas treats or something.)

How does putting a redirect feature on the mobile site redirect a visitor from the standard site to the mobile site? Wouldn't a regular WP redirect plugin or JS redirect do that from the standard site?

A bit dazed and confused,

Loren

HowieG

I have had an excellent experience with Irene through her help desk. She is so prompt and attentive and solved all my minor issues mainly caused by me. And my mistakes were similar to other users mistakes, which prompted the FAQ Help video and attending to all our requests to make this a better product. Thank you again Irene!

inneraction

It doesn't. The one in the plugin that was just released essentially creates a link to the main site. What you are looking for is in the bonuses that were included with this update. One is a Wordpress plugin that you install on the main website if it is a Wordpress site and then set the redirect to the mobile site. The other file Irene has provided is a javascript code that would go into an html built site and technically actually could also be used on a Wordpress site. She has included a PDF and links to videos to explain how everything works.

Hope this helps.

gandrews711

I think things are a bit more subtle than this. Yes, one of the things we've gotten is a zip of both a WP redirect plugin and a JavaScript redirection script. This takes care of redirecting the main site to the mobile site.

However, Irene has also shown that she's added an EzMSG default so that anyone coming to the home page of the mobile blog site may be redirected to one of the EzMSG sites created on that WP installation. As you know, you are able to define multiple mobile sites on the same WP installation. This redirection default (as shown in her video) allows you to select one of the sites as the default, assuming the user comes directly to the home page of the mobile WP installation.

Recall that each separate mobile site is also accessible by a permalink (something like http://blahblahblog.com/ezmb/*EzMobileSiteName*). With this new default, you may choose which EzMobileSite becomes the default on the entire mobile WP website.

What good is that? It has nothing to do with redirecting the client's main site to the new mobile site. Consider this, however. Suppose you have ten businesses in a particular community as mobile clients of yours. It seems to me you could create a mobile directory site (another EzMobileSite on that same WP installation), and link to those 10 business mobile sites without having to visit their main sites at all. Anyone visiting blahblahblog.com would see a helpful directory of your clients.

Of course, you could also link to other mobile sites from your directory site as well, even if you don' t host them. It's your choice.

Or, you could sell several mobile sites to a company with several subsidiaries, keeping the identities of the subsidiary companies separate, but joining them under one corporate umbrella.

Subtle, but useful, if I understand the intent.

--George

pierrebk4

I understand the WP plugin redirects, and js redirects, I already use both in different situations. Its this I don't understand:

"This new version provides a facility to redirect your whole blog to one of your mobile sites. This was a feature requested by several users who wished to install EzMobileSiteGenerator onto a subdomain, or onto a .mobi domain, and have the whole domain or subdomain immediately redirect to the mobile site.

This is all controlled from a single setting on the Default Settings Page. Look for the new setting "Homepage Redirect Settings" "


Loren

inneraction

I tested out the redirect scripts and they do work nicely.

For the one that is now in the plugin itself, the refers to each page created within ezmobilesitegenerator. It is a new section added toward the bottom of the page called Redirect Settings. This works nicely to redirect the user to the main site if that is what you want or any site (or to any site or page you want).

REQUEST- most mobile sites have the option to return to the Full Site in the footer of the site. Currently there is no access to the footer section, but I believe you are adding this correct Irene? To use the redirect setting now, we essentially have to create a new page that shows up in our navigation menu. So for instance, I could set a page called "Visit Full Site" and that would show up in the navigation. Then when clicked it would redirect to my full site. I would prefer and I am sure there are many others to be able to add this script to the footer instead or in both places if I choose. Will we be able to do so? Thanks Irene!

pierrebk4

Ok, it appears we were posting on the same time. But I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around this.

If there is a problem with having multiple mobile sites on a single WP installation, one for each client, using Irene's plugin, then what about this for a solution.

Create a subdomain, or a .mobi domain, on your own hosting, or the client's, for each individual client. Then install WP, and Irene's plugin, and build the mobile site. There'd be only one mobile site, on one instance of WP, on one subdomain or .mobi domain, using Irene's plugin just once only for that particular client.

Does this solve the problem, or do I still not understand? I hope I'm not being to dense here!

Loren

gandrews711

Not dense at all! Certainly, this is one solution. The drawback to multiple WP installations is mostly administrative. However, some of the folks here have expressed concern about control. (What if I'm not paid? What if my client tries to take over the site? Etc.)

Having all of your clients (or some of your clients) on a server you control may be more desirable to some business models than just installing a solution, grabbing the money, and heading for the door. Whatever way that works for you is best.

If you want to create a subdomain (e.g. m.myclientssite.com) or a subfolder (e.g. myclientssite.com/mobile) or a separate domain (e.g. myclientssite.mobi), that's fine. Remember that any active installation needs to be maintained, however. Each new installation of WP and EzMSG adds to your workload (or some else's).

Centralizing things may make more sense to some developers. This new default parameter just gives you the opportunity to choose which EzMobileSite becomes the default for a particular WP installation. You certainly could use a standard redirection script to achieve something similar.

--George

pierrebk4

Ok, Thanks. I appreciate it.

I need to think more about control, maintenance, and privacy.

If anybody else wants to chime in, I'm all ears.

Loren

phfire

Hi Irene,

I have installed your redirect plugin but it failed to work, is it compatible with OptimizePress?

Karl

inneraction

FEATURE REQUESTS:

I thought I would put down in one place some of the features I would love to see and that may have already been mentioned:

1. Ability to have the navigation menus appear on all pages, not just the homepage.
2. Ability to change the navigation menu colour of the button at the moment it is clicked on. Currently it is blue only and not changeable.
3. Permalink structure that removes ezmb so that you can have m.mysite.com/contact as an example. (I believe this is coming)
4. Footer section- ability to edit colour and add text and links AND to add the redirect to main site
5. Accordion menus- click on the menu item i.e. about us and instead of going to another page it opens up the information directly below like an accordian (this is coming)
6. Accordion for information within a page i.e. visit Our Services « FRA Consulting Ltd. and click on more details- great space saver!
7. Speed increase- sites that I have built are kind of slow and I am not using intensive graphics. Any suggestions or is there a way to code it to be faster- I know that WP is slower than HTML but would like to see this be faster as mobile users are impatient.

Ok, I am tired now- sure there is more. This plugin is awesome so far and can't wait for more!

Anyone else got other things they would like to see? Thanks!

inneraction

Just thought of one more. The ability to go to pages of a site you are working on more easily, perhaps from within each page. Now you have to select sites--> click to view pages and then you get there. Would be great if there was a faster one click solution AND the ability to drag and drop pages in order of how you would like them to appear in the navigation menu- similar to Wordpress's menu creator.