At this point there really is no argument for not using Facebook for advertising and product or service promotions. In addition to being the biggest social networking based website it is one of the most visited website in the world. If you don’t have a personal or business page on Facebook yet put one up now.

In addition to getting free exposure for your website or business, having a Facebook profile can help with reputation management and search engine optimization.

The web is inundated with companies who lure prospective clients in with catchy sales pitches like “Simply the fastest & easiest way to set-up a website” and “Easy, Secure, Simple & Fast”. We’ve seen a number of clients come to VolveMedia asking for assistance on websites they have had setup using these types of dedicated internet hosting and web design companies that offer WordPress based solutions.

Overwhelmingly, we see similar complaints about these types of “premium hosting services”:

• - Setup and payment were easy but company X offers no real support or custom solutions
• - Picking and implementing a theme for our WordPress site was easy but we can’t switch themes or make basic changes to site layout without something breaking
• - Hosting is included in our monthly bill but Company X won’t let us transfer our domain or host our site ourselves without a massive penalty
• - Company X charges a lot extra for normal stuff like email or ftp access, and getting custom changes done takes forever and is really expensive

Here’s a couple of tips to help you when choosing an ideal web hosting or web design company:

1. 1. Host or make sure YOU own and control your own domain name. Don’t let anyone else register or hold your domain name.
2. 2. Make sure your site is hosted with a reputable and good hosting company like GoDaddy, HostGator, RackSpace, etc. Doing so will alleviate many potential headaches with site downtime and maintenance.
3. 3. Always find out exactly (and get it in writing) how long custom work and emergency maintenance will take. If there’s an emergency or something that needs to be changed or added immediately on your website that you cannot do yourself in the WordPress admin, you’ll need to know that your web design company can accommodate your request without delay.

And as always, if you don’t have a personal rep to assist you or have your emails or calls returned within 12 hours then find another web design or web hosting company.

With the emergence of a new class of mobile devices that companies like Apple and HP have ushered in there has never been a more appropriate time to discuss Adobe Flash and it’s future.

Devices that use the Android OS and iPhone OS don’t have Flash support. Why? Well some of the reason is political and commercial but ultimately Flash is a closed, not open, standard and at times a bit of a resource hog.

Many websites today use Flash for delivering ads, videos, interactions, animations and games. With roughly 30%+ of internet users using mobile devices to browse web paves by 2013, what are websites to do about the over half of those devices that will not be Flash capable?

HTML 5 to the rescue! More developers and websites are turning to the newest standard in HTML. By this time next year all relevant browsers will support HTML 5. While most online games you play will likely stay in the Flash format for the forseable future, just about everything else will move to HTML: ads, interactions, video, etc.

VolveMedia doesn’t typically use Flash for anything else other than some animations and game development. We are a fully compliant HTML 5 development company. We cannot stress the importance of minimizing Flash. Your current and future visitors will thank you.

Like many in my profession, I got in line early to pick up my new Apple iPad. Anyone else who is serious about web development should be extremely curious about Apple’s new device and the potentials it has.

It is estimated that by 2013 nearly 40% of all web traffic will be from mobile devices. Devices like Apple’s iPad, Microsoft’s Courier and HP’s Slate will comprise a large percentage.

The apps that will be developed and sold for these devices mark a new trend in web navigation. Many will be turning to an app to find what they need online instead of using Google. While apps will never replace Google they do represent another marketing forum and way to gain customers.

We at VolveMedia already have a number of clients who have expressed a keen interest in potentially marketing their products and services through apps.

If you are a designer or developer, now is the time to look at apps and especially the Apple iPad.