On March 14, 2011, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). The look and feel changed with the information bar moving to the bottom of the browser and the search bar being integrated into the address bar. But overall, the change in user functionality is what affected add-ons the most. This change also created a very different experience for the user in terms of what they have to do to use add-ons after they install them.

IE9 asks for the user’s consent to enable newly installed add-ons, instead of automatically enabling them from the start:

IE9 Asks for User Consent to Enable Add-ons

When the user clicks Enable, they are shown this screen:

User Must Now Enable Add-Ons

This could lessen the chance of the user actually being able to use the add-on that they installed. They may click Don’t enable or they may just X out of the message completely because they don’t understand what it is or they are annoyed by the messaging.

IE9 also gives the user information on what is slowing down their browser and messages them on a regular basis asking them to speed up their browser by disabling add-ons:

Users Asked to Disable Add-Ons to Speed Up Startup

When the user clicks Disable add-ons, they are shown this screen:

Screen Shown to User When They Click Disable Add-ons

If the add-ons the user has installed and enabled total a load time of more than .2 seconds, the add-ons will show up on this list and the user may choose to disable them. This new functionality helps speed up the user’s browser, but it can also cause the user to want to uninstall all add-ons listed whether or not they really contribute to slowing down their browser.

On November 8, 2011, Mozilla released Firefox 8 (FF8).   This new version adds a new confirmation prompt for add-ons.  This prompt is different depending on whether or not the add-on is installed via an XPI or an EXE.

When an add-on is installed via an XPI, FF8 displays a modal dialog box with an Install Now button:

Modal Dialog Box with an Install Now Button

The user has to click Install Now to enable the add-on(s).  If they click cancel, the add-on(s) will not be enabled for use.

When an add-on is installed via an EXE, FF8 opens a new tab with a checkbox confirmation screen:

Add-on Installed via EXE, FF8 Opens Checkbox Confirmation Screen

By default, the checkbox is not checked, so the user has to check the box next to Allow this installation and then click Continue to be able to use the add-on.  If the user doesn’t check the box and clicks Continue, the add-on will not be enabled.

With the changes these new browser versions bring, it seems that the ultimate goal is speed. Each browser wants to be the fastest. These changes can be seen as both positive and negative for users.  As a positive, users may have a faster browser and not have to wait as long for load times.  As a negative, they have to take additional steps to “enable” add-ons that they have already agreed to install and in some cases, they have agreed multiple times through certain processes that confirm the user is installing what they want to install.

These changes can also be seen as both negative and somewhat positive for add-on developers. As a negative, these changes make it harder for an add-on developer because users have to take additional steps to be able to actually interact with their add-ons.  As a positive, with survival becoming harder and harder for add-ons, it encourages developers to make sure their add-on has a fast load time and it creates enough value so the user will want to take the necessary steps to enable the add-on for use.  However, even with those changes, it doesn’t ensure that the user will “enable” their add-on.  Another alternative for add-on developers might be exploring the options of building out a desktop version of the add-on so the application isn’t affected by any of these changes.

Overall, sometimes change is good and sometimes it’s not so good.  As things change though, we have to roll with those changes and allow ourselves to make the best of them.  We will just have to wait and see what comes next! Do you have any tactics to deal with browser changes?  If so, add them to the comments.

Nicole Virnig, Account Development Manager, W3i, LLC
Nicole focuses on growing W3i business relationships, making sure the  client has what they need to make them successful. If they aren’t  happy, she isn’t happy.

Are we really at the point where we can expect consistency on the design we create for the web to be viewed the same in modern  browsers.  Well, we are much closer than ever before.  The latest modern browsers are supporting html5 and css3 properties and the updates to these browsers are happening at a much faster rate.

So can we really start using these new techniques across the web?  What if the majority of your visitors to your sites still use older, less capable browsers?  You know the ones I am talking about?  Well don’t let that hold you back, there are options.

First of all we need to accept the fact that form enhances function and does not create it.  That the site looks the same in all browsers really the most important thing?  Or truly is some degradation in older browsers acceptable in order to increase performance for all?  Do we limit or add a bunch of extra code just to satisfy this need of pixel perfect consistency for all?  Or can we move forward with progressive enhancement allowing for maximum amount of browser features with minimum footprint.

Starting with standard compliance html and css as a structurally sound foundation ensures maximum portability with minimum maintenance.  Once the foundation is in place we can then work on building out the look providing an enhanced experience for those browsers that natively support these features.

There are options to make progressive enhancement easier.   Here are some free web design  tools to help with this: (including, but not limited to):

Free Web Design Tools for Progressive Enhancement

Modernizr (http://modernizr.com/)
to target supported browser features.

Selectivizr (http://selectivizr.com/)
to help IE shortcomings.

HTML5 Boilerplate (http://html5boilerplate.com/)
a template to help build sites from.

This is not anything new, many have been championing this, but it is worth repeating.  Not just other web designers and  developers need to understand this, but everyone that works on or with the web.  This helps with saving bandwidth, increasing page ranks, and progressing the internet forward.

Doing this will help progress the web forward even faster and we can spend more time on the beauty of it and less on the fixing of it.  Let’s not work for the various browsers, let’s make the browsers work for us.

An example of the progressive enhancement technique can be seen  in this MusicOasis landing page.

Eric Stevens, Sr. Web Designer , with 11 years of web design experience focusing on modern web standards and best practices.

W3i is now recommending that its affiliates use the new Ad Sitelink feature in Google Adwords to improve return on ad spends.

Ad Sitelinks allow you to include relevant links to content on your site which is not featured on your main landing page. You can also change the sitelinks whenever appropriate, for example for new marketing campaigns or seasonal products. We found that Ad Sitelinks created a lot of value for our users since they can now quickly find what they’re searching for using the relevant links that we added to our search ads. And let’s not forget the added benefit for you–using Ad Sitelinks gives you more real estate in your search ads.  A surefire way to improve your site’s click-through-rate and improve your quality score! It did for us!

Here is an example of Google’s search results with Ad Sitelinks,

Users Find Content Quicker with Google Ad Sitelinks

What are you waiting for?  Create a new campaign using Ad Sitelinks today!  What results did you get from Ad Sitelinks  Let me know in the comment section.

http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=164778

Joan Jones, Account Executive, W3i, LLC
Joan is the guardian of Affiliate relationships at W3i, providing resources and solutions to strategic accounts.

What’s more important, the number of installs attained or the number of installs chosen by desire and retained? The answer will dictate what kind of comments you want to leave on this post.

The blogosphere has blown up over the past couple of weeks around a debate I thought died years ago: opt-in versus opt-out.

The catalyst for this post revisiting the debate comes from a company that formerly operated in an opt-in software marketing space  moving to the other side  of the user choice fence, while another, Facebook,  arguably continues to struggle with opt-out backlashes from its huge and growing huger (yes, huger) user base.

So what’s the deal?  When it comes to creating value in connecting people with applications, it’s a no-brainer. Let user consent, control and choice drive the install car and everyone wins.

When it comes to distribution, The Rolling Stones are wrong; you can always get what you want

Opt-in ensures that the average customer passing through an install process gets what they want, without surprises. When customers are opting in to an installation, the user isn’t the only one that’s winning and getting what they want. Advertisers have something to gain from users consciously choosing their offers: a lower attrition rate.

Installs vs. Qualified Installs

In the long run, what does gaining installs in an opt-out strategy get you? What’s the long term value of an install that wasn’t wanted? What good does the install do if it’s immediately uninstalled or never used? Worse yet, what happens when the process provides a bad user experience now associated with your brand? In the court of public opinion, qualified installs stand up strong for all: user, publishers and advertisers. Don’t get me wrong, not every install in an opt-out process is unwanted, but it follows that the attrition rate is much higher than with opt-in.

Street Cred: It matters in app distribution

Certify this, approval that. There are a plethora of industry “stamps of approval.” W3i is proud to be a member of the TRUSTe Trusted Download program. While that program contains some flexibility, opt-in truly respects the user’s privacy and adheres to user’s choice and consent principles, which are typically best practices in the internet space.

It’s not about the dollar, right?

When the question comes up, opt-in versus opt-out, one of those vehicles is clearly being driven by revenue, the other by user experience and value. You can massage the numbers however you want, all I’m saying is: if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck . . .

Are you an Affiliate?  In working with affiliates for several years, I’ve put together a list of the top three ways to improve your payout with Affiliate Networks.

1. Communication. It’s obvious, it’s a daily function of our business, but it is not always used by affiliates to properly convey their key measurements of value. For example, if the users on your site skew female, and the marketing materials you receive from publishers are targeted at males, let your publisher manager know so he can get more targeted materials for you that will increase your epc, and help drive up your rates.
2. As our industry continues to find more ways to optimize campaigns through AFS-type systems, the open flow of information pertaining to the way an affiliate drives traffic is a crucial ingredient. When shared properly with publishers, it creates opportunities to identify poor traffic sources and helps steer an affiliate toward better-performing traffic sources. Working with your publisher manager to accomplish this will create value for you and the publisher that can get you to the next rate level.
3. What is the user experience when they go through your download process? Have you actually run through it? If not, objectively go through the download to actually experience what you are asking your users to go through. By doing this, you can find numerous tweaks that will enhance the user experience, increase your epc, and help you reach your targeted ROI.

There are numerous publisher managers who will work with you on these improvements, as well as many others. For further details on ways to improve your current payouts, or if you are interested in more information on W3i’s Affiliate Program, please feel free to contact Chris Brama at chris.brama@w3i.com.

Chris Brama, Account Executive, W3i Holdings, LLC
Chris uses a consultative approach to growing W3i’s affiliate partners’ business.

Online media player provides monetization and marketing opportunities for artists and record labels

St. Cloud, MN, June 5, 2009 – W3i, a provider of marketing solutions that increase revenue, distribution and engagement for Windows applications and plug-ins, and RightsFlow, a provider of music licensing and royalty services, announced today the creation of an integrated music marketing platform designed to help artists and labels monetize free music downloads through media support.

“W3i has developed solutions to enable the distribution of free content for over nine years,” comments Robert Weber, Vice President of Business Development at W3i. “Our proprietary technology, Install IQ, and W3i’s Application Network can help downloadable content providers increase their revenue as well as ensure speed-to-market while utilizing minimal artist resources.”

As traditional music business models continue to change, artists and labels are looking for innovative sources of revenue in the digital space. “We are very excited to offer record labels and artists access to the W3i Media Player,” stated Alex Holz, Director of Client Relations for RightsFlow. “This system helps artists and labels reach music lovers searching for free music, while still generating revenue from their recordings.”

The media-supported initiative involves reaching fans searching for free music and offering DRM-free downloads of unreleased and difficult-to-find digital tracks. The initial rollout features 100 tracks across Rock, Pop, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin, Alternative, and Country music genres, including artists such as Say When, Carey Ott, Michael Olatuja, and Drunken Barn Dance.

“We are pleased to work with W3i and RightsFlow on this exciting program,” said Gary Taylor, manager of Carey Ott and co-manager of The New Congress. “Finding creative ways to market and monetize music is especially important for D.I.Y. artists, and earning revenue while rewarding fans with free music is an unmatched deal.”

Install IQ was the first installation system certified in the TRUSTe Trusted Download program, and users have demonstrated high satisfaction in online surveys.

About W3i:
W3i increases revenue, distribution and engagement for Windows applications and plug-ins. W3i uses a network approach combining the demand for free and trial downloads monetized by the distribution of useful downloads when the consumer is in the download mindset. W3i’s Application Network uses Install IQ, W3i’s proprietary Windows installer, the first installer to be certified in the TRUSTe Trusted Download Program. Tested and optimized on over 250 million installs–currently 7.1 million installs monthly and growing, W3i will prove to be a valued distribution partner in growing your application business. To learn more, visit W3i’s Application Network.

About RightsFlow:
RightsFlow offers Mechanical Licensing & Royalty Solutions for labels, distributors, and online music services. We specialize in obtaining bulk mechanical, DPD, and ringtone licenses including streaming, tethered, and limited downloads rights. Our proprietary “FLOW” system allows us to license, account, and pay royalties directly to the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and the thousands of publishers not represented by HFA. Today, RightsFlow services over 1,500 labels for mechanical and DPD licensing. Some of the many clients we service include marquee companies such as imeem, E1 Entertainment, Muzak, EMI Music, Active International, Tapulous, CD Baby, IODA, Audible Magic, YouLicense, Constellation Wines (Blackstone), X5 Music Group, Zebralution and Disc Makers, among others. For more information on RightsFlow’s services and management team, visit www.rightsflow.com.

Media Contact for W3i:
Deborah Manthei +1.320.257.7571 / deborah.manthei@W3i.com

Media Contact for RightsFlow:
Gideon Kalischer, +1-212-937-6955 / gideon.kalischer@rightsflow.com

7th annual Stevie® Awards will be presented on June 22 in New York City

St. Cloud, Minnesota – May 20, 2009 – W3i, LLC, provider of marketing solutions that increase revenue, distribution, and engagement for Windows applications and plug-ins, was named a finalist today in the New Product or Services of the Year – Computer Services category in The 2009 American Business Awards.

The finalist designation was presented for W3i’s Download Network, a leading consumer software platform.  Using a network approach, W3i’s Download Network pays partners to generate traffic, installs interactive consumer applications, and delivers active users to W3i’s clients. 

The American Business Awards is the nation’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit entries to the ABAs – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. 

Stevie Award winners will be announced during the annual gala on Monday, June 22 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.  Six hundred executives from across the U.S.A. are expected to attend.  The ceremonies will be broadcast on radio nationwide by the Business TalkRadio Network and hosted by Cheryl Casone of Fox Business Network.

More than 2,600 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories, including Most Innovative Company, Best Management Team, Best New Product or Service, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Best Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program.  W3i will be competing in the New Product or Services of the Year – Computer Services category for Interactive Marketing.

“It took years for W3i’s team to fine-tune the proprietary technology for Install IQ, the installer that drives the success of W3i’s Download Network.  To date we have installed over 250 million applications.  My congratulations to the team for becoming a finalist in the 2009 ABAs,” comments Andy Johnson, CEO, W3i. 

Members of the Awards’ Board of Distinguished Judges & Advisors and their staffs will select Stevie Award winners from among finalists in final judging that will continue through June 3.   Finalists were chosen by business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging in April through early May.

“Despite very tough economic conditions, many organizations and individuals continue to perform well,” said Michael Gallagher, founder and president of The Stevie Awards.  “The results of the 2009 ABAs thus far are a testament to the resilience, creativity, and hard work of American organizations, executives, and workers.”

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of finalists in all categories are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba. 

About W3i
W3i increases revenue, distribution, and engagement for Windows applications and plug-ins. W3i uses a network approach combining the demand for free and trial downloads monetized by the distribution of useful downloads when the consumer is in the download mindset.  W3i’s Download Network uses Install IQ, W3i’s proprietary Windows installer, the first installer to be certified in the TRUSTe Trusted Download Program.  Tested and optimized on over 250 million installs–currently 7.1 million installs monthly and growing, W3i will prove to be a valued distribution partner in growing your application business. To learn more, visit W3i’s Download Network.

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about The Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

Supporting sponsors of The 2009 American Business Awards include High Performance Technologies Inc., John Hancock, Lifelock, RCN Corporation, Softpro, and Ultimate Software.  Media sponsor is the Business TalkRadio Network.  Localization partner of the 2009 Stevie Awards is Lionbridge.

Contact:
Deborah Manthei
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com

It is always great when you can talk to Internet marketers face-to-face and learn some of their insights first hand.  I attended ad:tech San Francisco this week,  meeting with a handful of top marketers in charge of various types of Windows applications.

Their Windows applications include:  a cutting edge Outlook plug-in, security applications primarily geared for consumer use, various types of utility applications for helping users to get their PC to operate at the best possible level, and a top video player application. Each of the marketers talked to me about their various marketing campaigns, and all of them stressed how important it is to meet ROI goals, especially in light of the current economic condition.

• Paid search is working for many… The marketer from the cutting edge Outlook plug-in stated that since their app is so new to the world, most users haven’t discovered a need for the product category yet and, therefore, there isn’t much search traffic available to market this new application.
• Radio is not worth it… The marketer at the utility application company stated that if he had to do it all over again, he would have never invested into getting a radio advertising campaign off the ground. He said measuring the ROI has proven challenging, and way too much effort for what he gets out of it.
• Co-promotion has some legs… The security application company was working to white label their technology to a handful of very large security companies to ramp up their growth.
• Social marketing is helpful, but too unpredictable… The utility application company has a Windows application with a social marketing strategy, and was in the process of winding down the product because it never got any traction. The cutting edge Outlook plug-in company was quite pleased with the social traction he was getting, but wanted to ramp up faster, and in a more controlled manner. Even successful social marketing campaigns need a spark to light the fire.
• Bundling works… All four of the marketers at these Windows application companies stated that bundling was an area they were going to invest more energy and budget into because the ROI was very measurable and the volume of distribution was very meaningful.

If you have a Windows application, and haven’t figured out how to generate a meaningful ROI by participating in bundling, we should talk.  Contact W3i to learn more. 

About the Author:
Rob Weber is the VP of Business Development and Co-Founder of W3i Holdings.  Rob has over nine years experience developing innovative ways to increase revenue and distribution for Windows applications.

St. Cloud, Minnesota, April 9, 2009-W3i, LLC today announced a global partnership with Yahoo!, under which W3i will continue to offer the Yahoo! Toolbar, as well as sponsored search and contextual advertising services, to over 16.5 million visitors monthly.

As a leader in desktop and browser marketing solutions, W3i provides its users with useful, safe, free software and utilities to improve their Internet experience.  W3i’s goal is to connect users with downloads that add utility to their desktop and make their time on the Internet more productive.

“Our partnership with Yahoo! allows us to offer world-class search capabilities to our users. Yahoo! has made impressive strides with its search marketing system, and continues to innovate to drive the most compelling user and advertiser experience,” said Andy Johnson, CEO of W3i. “As a leader in delivering quality, downloadable content, W3i is excited to continue our partnership and looks forward to growing our relationship with Yahoo! even more over time.”

About W3i:
W3i delivers proven, integrated desktop and browser marketing solutions.  With solutions tested and optimized on over 200 million installs–currently 4.2 million installs monthly, W3i can increase revenue and traffic for downloadable software, applications and digital content or provide a receptive consumer base for customized, targeted distribution programs while the user is in the download mode.  W3i’s solutions utilize Install IQ, a proprietary Windows installation system and download manager developed by W3i.  Install IQ is the first installation system to be certified in the TRUSTe Trusted Download Program.  To learn more about W3i, visit www.w3i.com.  For premium quality, free consumer content, visit freeze.com (screensavers, wallpaper and clip art), wallpapers.com (animated, static and Wallery wallpapers), screensaver.com (3D and flash screensavers), and my.freeze.com (latest news, home page).

Contact:
Deborah Manthei
Director of Marketing Communications
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com

###

St. Cloud, MN, March 19, 2009 – Young Sohn, Chairman of W3i’s Board of Governors and President and CEO of Inphi Corporation, a private Analog semiconductor company, will be a panelist at GSA Emerging Opportunities Luncheon on April 7, 2009. The panel will be discussing, “Driving Semiconductor Development-Opportunities in Communications and Computing.”

The GSA Emerging Opportunities Expo & Conference brings together suppliers and semiconductor professionals in an effort to advance and cultivate global business partnerships. The panel will discuss how communications and next-generation computing (cloud computing, etc.) will provide new opportunities in emerging applications that will drive the future of semiconductor development and product delivery.

“Young Sohn’s advice and perspective are crucial to the success of W3i.” comments Andy Johnson, CEO of W3i, providing revenue and distribution generation for software marketers. “His insight will be as beneficial to those attending the GSA Conference as it is to W3i.”

About W3i:

W3i increases revenue for downloadable software, applications and digital content by providing a receptive consumer base for customized, targeted download distribution. W3i uses a network approach combining the demand for free and trial software supported by the distribution of value-added software when the consumer is in the download mindset. W3i’s Download Network uses Install IQ, W3i’s proprietary Windows installer, the first installer to be certified in the TRUSTeTrusted Download Program. Tested and optimized on over 200 million installs–currently 4.2 million installs monthly, W3i will prove to be a valued partner in growing your download business. To learn more, visit W3i’s Download Network.

Contact:
Deborah Manthei
Director of Marketing Communications
320-257-7571
deborah.manthei@W3i.com