Month: May 2019

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The Future of Google Ads is Dimmed by Amazon Advertising

Nancy C. McCord, Owner of McCord Web Services LLC
Nancy C. McCord, Owner of McCord Web Services LLC

Google announced that earnings from Google Ads had dropped this last quarter. Feeling pressure from newbies on the block, like Amazon, is sure to shakeup the Google Boardroom.

Google Ads has been king – that is until recently. With renewed pressure from Bing Ads – now called Microsoft Advertising – which appears structured to expand in unknown marketing arenas, Amazon is also now strongly entering the pay per click platform mix.

Amazon has an accredited professionals program and I will be starting my training this week. Not only has Amazon changed the way we buy online, but it may now be the biggest contender against Google for the e-commerce pay per click dollar.

Have you seen this yourself, you are looking to buy a product and now do not even go to Google, but rather start your search on Amazon? I am doing just this myself. Do I click on the Amazon Sponsored items – you bet I do as usually they are a great deal and the price is right. Add to that free prime shipping and Amazon is rapidly becoming my shopping search engine. I rarely buy now items on Google.com – and only if I cannot find it on Amazon.

Amazon has tested services too, so they are just not all about selling products. I have seen cleaning services and pest control service programs on Amazon. Tie that in with the super smart Alexa devices and app that are becoming assistants of choice in millions of homes and Google should be worried.

As I certify for Amazon advertising, I will keep you posted on what I see and learn.

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Bing Ads Becomes Microsoft Advertising

McCord Web Services is a Microsoft Advertising Partner
McCord Web Services is a Microsoft Advertising Partner

Just this last week Bing Ads rebranded itself as Microsoft Advertising. This is an interesting update for a platform that looks to move outside the box consumers have put it in.

With advertising from Bing Ads appearing on Windows PCs in many areas and on Microsoft properties, it makes perfect sense to move beyond the Bing platform and make the name more descriptive.

I expect that there will be additional integrations with Microsoft products in the months to come as the powers that be re-brand the platform and enlarge offerings.

The Bing Partners program portal has been updated to reflect this new name and branding.

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Viking River Cruises Internet Access

The Trouble with Travel is Staying Connected.
The Trouble with Travel is Staying Connected.

Going on a Viking River cruise in Europe? I’ve just been on one and wanted to share with you my Internet access experience so you can plan better than I did.

First, I have Verizon and I do have the Verizon Travel Pass. I expected to be able to use my own data plan with Verizon for Internet access to my business while on travel. What I found out is the following.

Wi-fi access on the boat is literally non-existent. If you sit in one of the common areas, you may be able to upload a Facebook photo and maybe, just maybe, do a Facebook messenger phone call, but do not plan on connecting your laptop or doing real work.

Even if the boat is in port, you will still have issues with connectivity. You simply set yourself up for frustration to use the boat internet.

Now, here’s the big kicker, I thought I would be able to use Verizon for my access when the boat connection was poor, but Verizon must have very little coverage in the area of Germany, France, and Switzerland along the Rhine. I found that even out of the port on a bus to a tour that I was roaming with little or no connectivity using Verizon. The ability to read email with no attachments was about the extent of what I found doable.

My recommendation is that if you are traveling on a Viking River cruise, plan on not getting online. If you do, it will be a bonus!