Alt Attribute & SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization images has become increasingly more essential in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost chance of better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for the images on your web site:

Images:. Use the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend using a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot begin to see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, looking to achieve a certain keyword density, which is not as relevant for rankings now since it once was.

On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for your site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings will not take advantage of this tactic.
This method also puts persons who use screen readers in a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the contents of what's shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt attributes of images are read aloud too.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text which is then repetitions of many keywords. The page will be far from accessible, and, to put it mildly, will be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or a label to have an image, though many people use it for the reason that fashion. Although it may appear natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is not!

What used within an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve the same purpose the image would.

The thing would be to supply the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the image itself is unavailable. Ask yourself this question: If you were to replace the look with the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and would it create the same response?
A few examples:

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If a search button is really a magnifier or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If an image is meant to convey the literal contents of the look, then a description is appropriate.

If it is designed to convey data, then that data is what's appropriate.

If it is meant to convey using a function, then the function is what should be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility and for valid XHTML.

For images that play merely a decorative role in the page, use an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".

Keep in mind that it's the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed by the button.

Alt text ought to be based on context. The same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.

Try to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that's the way it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image is there.
Please remember that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, that are used since the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the remainder of Europe. They are also required to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in the US.

It is useful to categorize non-text content into three levels:

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) fulfill the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there may be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that will boost the usability of the site for someone utilizing a non-visual user agent. Use a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.

II. Mood-Setting

This is the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the mood or set the stage as it were. These graphics are not direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they're important in they help frame what's going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the second group as makes sense and is relevant. There may be times when doing so might be annoying or detrimental to other users. Then avoid it.

For instance; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, and an irritant to screen reader users. I recommend alt="" or background CSS images in such cases. But sometimes, it's important to get this content in there for those users.

Most times this will depend on context. The same image in a different context may require drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you go in this case is really a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is when the image may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be in order.
The main reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images are there. You need to determined precisely what function a picture serves. Consider what it is concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason for being on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what the page is attempting to explain. Knowing what the look is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in level of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown as a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So use the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points to the URL of a complete description of an image. When the information found in an image is important to the concept of the page (i.e. some important content would be lost when the image was removed), an extended description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It can provide for rich, expressive documentation of the visual image.

It should be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of the image...The aim is to use any period of description necessary to impart the details of the graphic.

It would not be remiss to hope that the long description conjures an image - the look - within the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for that totally blind."

Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

In many cases, you're better off just choosing your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to include it, and when you don't have a strong urge to do it, don't include that longdesc.

However, if it's essential for the entire page to work, then you have to add the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a lot on the function of the image and its context about the page.

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If the image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and maybe a long description will be in order. In many cases this type of thing is a judgement call.

Image Search Engine Optimization Tips

Listed here are key steps in optimizing images:

Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You should use hyphens within the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores like a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For example, when the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is really a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's likely to assume that it is a graphic;

Ensure that the text nearby the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose an excellent chance to help your site together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive more traffic to your site TODAY.

SEO Company

The surprising part for me in recent weeks is that there are many Acquisition Marketers who still doubt that investing in SEO is even worth the effort. And, they have not even given it a try.

In some sense, it’s the “paralysis by analysis” conundrum. As SEO practitioners, we have all been faced with the question of “what’s the ROI?”

In my last article, 10 Quick & Dirty SEO Success Metrics, I made the case that tracking SEO success can get messy when you look at attribution tracking, and that you may have to resort to some more basic measurements to prove success.

It is exactly this messy success tracking that makes Acquisition Marketers hesitant to invest in SEO.

The Case For SEO As An Acquisition Vehicle

So, here’s my case for why SEO is a necessary piece of Acquisition Marketing:

A well-executed SEO strategy requires crafting and generating valuable content, promoting that content, and finding ways for trusted resources to link to that content. It takes time to see organic search results.

In this process, the most likely scenario is that “The Rank Hound” will be disappointed, and the “The Small Portfolio Ranker” will begin to have doubts, but may see some positive signs.  “The More, The Merrier” will see the breadth of keyword traffic begin to expand, and will be happy to see that progress.  But, even “The More, The Merrier” will begin to question if the right tail keywords are bringing in traffic.

However, this entire SEO process is moving the acquisition dial in the right direction!

Acquisition benefits include:

• Purchase Influencing. Quality content that is generated is positively influencing buyer behavior. Whether or not the content is found via a search engine (at the beginning), the content is still pushing website visitors closer to being buyers. By “content”, I don’t just mean written text (which is of course valuable) – great content will take many forms, including video, images, graphical depictions (including infographics), webinars, contests & promotions, local search assets (e.g. Google Places), and many other forms of great, creative, and convincing content.


• Awareness. Visits from long-tail keywords, even if not the best-converting keywords, are building brand awareness, and planting the seed that your site is there for them to come back to. You may see this traffic come back to you in future visits in your analyitcs as “Direct/Bookmark” or search queries for your brand name. But, it was the initial visit, for a very specific phrase that even gave you the opportunity for that second visit.


• Creating A Voice. In order to promote the content, you need a voice. That voice is a combination of social media engagement, PR, and traditional link building. These traffic channels, and communication processes, will be there even when Google changes the search game on us all again. People will be finding you not just via search, but through good-old-fashioned communication. But, you did the groundwork, in part, to improve SEO results.


• Competitive Keywords Will Come To You. Your quest for ranking for the best-converting, and more competitive, keywords will provide results. It will just take more time than many Acquisition Marketers are typically comfortable with. But, without making the investment in organic search, your competitors will keep taking your customers away from you.

As organic search traffic, and traffic from related sources, flows in, Acquisition Marketers can do one of the things they do best – test and optimize the user experience to capture customers and prospects, and build marketing lists to nurture with care.

Every Industry Evolves & Requires Convincing Doubters In Order To Grow

As I was drafting this article, I was bouncing ideas off of a trusted adviser, Mike Schultz, from the Rain Group. Mike’s specialty is sales training.

As I talked about my surprise at still finding so many “doubters” who have not yet invested in SEO, Mike drew an analogy to how even “mature” industries need to be re-introduced to how to sell their own services. He talked about how roughly 20 years ago, law firms began to revolutionize the way they market and sell their services (even though lawyers have been around for centuries).

It became evident, that if a competitive law firm did not engage in more aggressive marketing and demand generation, then not only were they leaving potential business on the table, the perception was that they were behind the curve.

While the SEO industry is far from mature, it is true that the speed of adoption has been at a much more rapid rate than many other marketing channels. In fact, Brian Halligan and the rest of the Hubspot team, have proven how fast a new marketing concept, such as inbound marketing, can take hold.

So, my hope is that the sophisticated, ROI-driven Acquisition Marketers will take note of the broad benefits of SEO, and invest time and money in building organic search as an acquisition channel. Even when ROI measurement is not immediately available.

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Related Topics: In The Trenches

The surprising part for me in recent weeks is that there are many Acquisition Marketers who still doubt that investing in SEO is even worth the effort. And, they have not even given it a try.

In some sense, it’s the “paralysis by analysis” conundrum. As SEO practitioners, we have all been faced with the question of “what’s the ROI?”

In my last article, 10 Quick & Dirty SEO Success Metrics, I made the case that tracking SEO success can get messy when you look at attribution tracking, and that you may have to resort to some more basic measurements to prove success.

It is exactly this messy success tracking that makes Acquisition Marketers hesitant to invest in SEO.

The Case For SEO As An Acquisition Vehicle

So, here’s my case for why SEO is a necessary piece of Acquisition Marketing:

A well-executed SEO strategy requires crafting and generating valuable content, promoting that content, and finding ways for trusted resources to link to that content. It takes time to see organic search results.

In this process, the most likely scenario is that “The Rank Hound” will be disappointed, and the “The Small Portfolio Ranker” will begin to have doubts, but may see some positive signs.  “The More, The Merrier” will see the breadth of keyword traffic begin to expand, and will be happy to see that progress.  But, even “The More, The Merrier” will begin to question if the right tail keywords are bringing in traffic.

However, this entire SEO process is moving the acquisition dial in the right direction!

Acquisition benefits include:

• Purchase Influencing. Quality content that is generated is positively influencing buyer behavior. Whether or not the content is found via a search engine (at the beginning), the content is still pushing website visitors closer to being buyers. By “content”, I don’t just mean written text (which is of course valuable) – great content will take many forms, including video, images, graphical depictions (including infographics), webinars, contests & promotions, local search assets (e.g. Google Places), and many other forms of great, creative, and convincing content.


• Awareness. Visits from long-tail keywords, even if not the best-converting keywords, are building brand awareness, and planting the seed that your site is there for them to come back to. You may see this traffic come back to you in future visits in your analyitcs as “Direct/Bookmark” or search queries for your brand name. But, it was the initial visit, for a very specific phrase that even gave you the opportunity for that second visit.


• Creating A Voice. In order to promote the content, you need a voice. That voice is a combination of social media engagement, PR, and traditional link building. These traffic channels, and communication processes, will be there even when Google changes the search game on us all again. People will be finding you not just via search, but through good-old-fashioned communication. But, you did the groundwork, in part, to improve SEO results.


• Competitive Keywords Will Come To You. Your quest for ranking for the best-converting, and more competitive, keywords will provide results. It will just take more time than many Acquisition Marketers are typically comfortable with. But, without making the investment in organic search, your competitors will keep taking your customers away from you.

As organic search traffic, and traffic from related sources, flows in, Acquisition Marketers can do one of the things they do best – test and optimize the user experience to capture customers and prospects, and build marketing lists to nurture with care.

Every Industry Evolves & Requires Convincing Doubters In Order To Grow

As I was drafting this article, I was bouncing ideas off of a trusted adviser, Mike Schultz, from the Rain Group. Mike’s specialty is sales training.

As I talked about my surprise at still finding so many “doubters” who have not yet invested in SEO, Mike drew an analogy to how even “mature” industries need to be re-introduced to how to sell their own services. He talked about how roughly 20 years ago, law firms began to revolutionize the way they market and sell their services (even though lawyers have been around for centuries).

It became evident, that if a competitive law firm did not engage in more aggressive marketing and demand generation, then not only were they leaving potential business on the table, the perception was that they were behind the curve.

While the SEO industry is far from mature, it is true that the speed of adoption has been at a much more rapid rate than many other marketing channels. In fact, Brian Halligan and the rest of the Hubspot team, have proven how fast a new marketing concept, such as inbound marketing, can take hold.

So, my hope is that the sophisticated, ROI-driven Acquisition Marketers will take note of the broad benefits of SEO, and invest time and money in building organic search as an acquisition channel. Even when ROI measurement is not immediately available.

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Related Topics: In The Trenches

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"Getting data privacy 'right' is an economic and social imperative. Trust and confidence in the security and privacy of the critical systems of our planet - especially the digital version of its central nervous system, the Internet - is foundational to individuals' continued engagement and reliance on such things as online commerce, e-health and smart grids. If individual consumers don't feel that their privacy and security are protected, they will not support modernization efforts, even though the capabilities of technology advancements are proven and the potential benefits to society are extensive.

"Here's an example of the tensions we face: The ability of smart grids to conserve resources relies on the ability of, and commitment from, consumers to monitor and modify their individual usage. An individual using a smart meter understands the difference in the cost of using electricity at peak versus non-peak hours and could opt to lower their usage during more costly time periods. At the same time, data from the meters can reveal sensitive information such as work habits, shower schedules, use of medical devices such as dialysis, and whether or not a house is occupied."

"I don't worry that the technology will have a negative impact on consumer privacy," wrote Mark Roberti, founder of RFID Journal in a June overview of the state of the RFID market where privacy is concerned. "Instead, I worry that ignorant legislators trying to score points with uninformed voters will pass laws that limit the many benefits RFID can deliver--and that is a much bigger threat to consumers."

Today's agreement in Europe appears not to be the kind of legislation Roberti feared. As a framework focused on self-reporting it may be too little, ultimately, but it's a start.

"Getting data privacy 'right' is an economic and social imperative. Trust and confidence in the security and privacy of the critical systems of our planet - especially the digital version of its central nervous system, the Internet - is foundational to individuals' continued engagement and reliance on such things as online commerce, e-health and smart grids. If individual consumers don't feel that their privacy and security are protected, they will not support modernization efforts, even though the capabilities of technology advancements are proven and the potential benefits to society are extensive.

"Here's an example of the tensions we face: The ability of smart grids to conserve resources relies on the ability of, and commitment from, consumers to monitor and modify their individual usage. An individual using a smart meter understands the difference in the cost of using electricity at peak versus non-peak hours and could opt to lower their usage during more costly time periods. At the same time, data from the meters can reveal sensitive information such as work habits, shower schedules, use of medical devices such as dialysis, and whether or not a house is occupied."

"I don't worry that the technology will have a negative impact on consumer privacy," wrote Mark Roberti, founder of RFID Journal in a June overview of the state of the RFID market where privacy is concerned. "Instead, I worry that ignorant legislators trying to score points with uninformed voters will pass laws that limit the many benefits RFID can deliver--and that is a much bigger threat to consumers."

Today's agreement in Europe appears not to be the kind of legislation Roberti feared. As a framework focused on self-reporting it may be too little, ultimately, but it's a start.

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Sources: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers fined $75,000 each

Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been fined $75,000 for making unauthorized comments about collective bargaining, sources said Thursday.

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Fox <b>News</b> Reports That GWU Student&#39;s Suicide &#39;Tragically Coincides <b>...</b>

UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m. EST, Fox has apparently pulled the article in question from their site.

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ABC <b>News</b> Exclusive: Pat Tillman&#39;s Mom Wants General Stanley <b>...</b>

ABC News' Jake Tapper reports: President Obama named retired General Stanley McChrystal to co-chair a White House commission on military families this week, but according to perhaps the most prominent military family of the last decade, ...

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Video calls were a mainstay of classic sci-fi films, and even today there’s something almost magical about seeing your friends and family on the screen of a portable device. Video calling has been around for some time, but it’s only really in the past year or so that its got more attention among regular users. That’s thanks in no small part to Apple and FaceTime, as found on the iPhone 4, iPad 2 and other gadgets from the company’s range. Read on as we give FaceTime the full SlashGear 101 treatment!

So Apple invented video calling, right?

No, not at all, though they did do a lot to make it easier to use – just as long as you have the right hardware. Video calling is actually a part of the 3G standard, which – if the carrier and whatever phone you’re using supports it, which isn’t the case in the US – has been available since around 2003. Unfortunately a combination of high pricing, poor understanding by users, mediocre quality and patchy reliability meant this form of video calling has never really taken off.

Apple’s FaceTime takes advantage of the company’s tight control over the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and MacBook software, which has allowed it to polish the video calling experience to the point where everyday use is possible. Now FaceTime is available to anybody at the touch of an on-screen button.

Do I need an Apple phone to use FaceTime?

Not necessarily a phone, but definitely something with the Apple logo. FaceTime was first supported on the iPhone 4, which was Apple’s first mobile device with a front-facing camera (i.e. one that looks at the user, rather than out the back of the handset). The latest iPod touch and iPad 2 both have front-facing cameras and FaceTime support as well, and Apple has released a FaceTime app for its Mac and MacBook computers so they can join in the fun as well. FaceTime comes free on the mobile devices and the very latest Macs, and is a $0.99 download from the Mac App Store for earlier Mac owners.

Okay, so how do I use it?

It’s pretty simple, just as Apple was aiming for. On the iPhone you make a voice call in the normal way and then tap the FaceTime button on-screen to switch to video. On the iPod touch and iPad 2, you start a video call in the FaceTime app. You’ll need an Apple account in order to make and receive calls, since that’s used as the “phone number” for devices other than the iPhone 4.

Currently, FaceTime video calls can only be made when you have a WiFi connection, not when you’re using the mobile network for data. That’s a limitation Apple has put in place itself, though the company has said it is working on removing it in the future.

I’m not into Apple, can I video call with something else?

You certainly can, though the process gets a bit trickier. Various apps are available for Android and other mobile phone platforms which promise video calls, sometimes over not only WiFi but the 3G mobile networks too. That means you can make video calls when away from your home network or a WiFi hotspot, as long as your signal is strong enough.

Skype, Fring and Qik are all among the companies offering video calling apps, though their effectiveness often varies on a phone-by-phone basis. Not all phones have front-facing cameras, either, though they’re becoming more common on the latest handsets. A future SlashGear 1010 feature will look at the best video calling apps if FaceTime isn’t your thing.

Apple has said it plans to open up FaceTime to other manufacturers, so that non-Apple phones can make and receive calls too, but so far there’s no sign of that actually happening.

More information at Apple’s FaceTime page.

Apple has reportedly become more aggressive in securing components from overseas suppliers, making moves such as upfront cash payments to both ensure supply and block out competitors.



Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said in a note to investors on Thursday that Apple began "aggressively attacking" the component situation in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country. The iPhone maker reportedly sent executives to suppliers immediately to ensure adequate supply of components, and also began offering upfront cash payments.



Separately, White's contacts in Taiwan also revealed that Apple is allegedly securing component capacity using what is known as a "three cover guarantee," referring to capacity, stock and price. Apple's move is seen as one that could potentially block out competitors and prevent them from building ample supply of devices.



The information comes as a separate report out of the Far East suggested that a one-month delay for Research in Motion's PlayBook tablet was as a result of Apple securing most of the available touch panel production capacity. The delay has forced the PlayBook to go on sale after Apple's in-demand iPad 2.



Last month, it was said that Apple could agree to price hikes in order to secure touch panel supply, particularly in the aftermath of the Japan earthquake. Apple was said to be in talks with component makers about touch panel pricing, and allegedly considered some price increases in negotiations.



In the company's last quarterly earnings call, Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook revealed that Apple had invested $3.9 billion of its nearly $60 billion in cash reserves in long-term supply contracts. He declined to reveal what components Apple had put its money toward, citing competitive concerns, but said that it was a strategic move that would position the company well in the future.



Analysts largely believe that the secret investment was related to touch panel displays that are the centerpiece of devices like the iPhone and iPad. One cost breakdown estimated that such an investment could secure Apple 136 million iPhone displays, or 60 million iPad touch panels.



It's a move similar to 2005, when Apple inked a major deal with Samsung to secure longterm supply of flash memory. NAND flash would go on to become a major part of Apple's products, including the iPhone, iPad and new MacBook Air.

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Wi-Fi Photo Transfer is a free app that makes it insanely simple to download photos from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.

We've been using iPhoto, jailbreak tweaks, and Image Capture to download photos to our computer. None of these methods are as quick, as painless, or as wireless as Wi-Fi Photo Transfer. 

There isn't a single setting to alter once you download the app. It works by making the photos folder on your device (DCIM, if you're an iOS explorer) visible from your web browser so you can download photos straight to your computer. Your computer and device must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.

You can view all your photos in a convenient thumbnail view to select multiple items, or you can download them one by one (in various sizes, too). 

This free app is a can't-miss. In fact, we used it to download the screen-grabs for this very post you're reading now.

Price: free from the App Store (universal app)

NOTE: if you're downloading screen captures you've taken on your iDevice, this app mislabels them as JPG so you get an error trying to open them in Photoshop. Once you download the screen captures, change the JPG extension to PNG in the file name and you'll be all set. This note is only for iDevice screen captures, achieved by holding down the Home button and Sleep button simultaneously for a second.

(Via App Storm)

class="dropcap">Bill Thomas used to be a climate change skeptic, not believing that humans could have influenced the dramatic atmospheric shift, but two weeks in the woods — and chats with scientists — changed his mind.

“I remember vividly that first day with Dr. Jess Parker; he showed us a chart of CO2 levels increasing about the time of the industrial revolution,” says Thomas, who works for HSBC bank and participated in a 2007 Climate Champions training program. There, a personal epiphany led to a job title change — the former relationship manager for HSBC Technical Services is now group head of HSBC Technology and Services Sustainability.

Teaching employees the science behind green corporate values and how to make their workplaces sustainable isn’t just for “green” show — done right, it’s good business strategy.

“There seems to be a huge growth of interest among companies to not just keep the environmental initiatives within a subset of employees, but to make it a pervasive part of the corporate culture,” says Krista Badiane, who manages the business and environment program at the National Environmental Education Foundation.  And unlike broad, mandated rules — such as carbon caps — companies that create their own initiatives take ownership and credit for sustainable changes, which may well go beyond what laws would have dictated.

By cultivating current workers’ energy-saving ideas and environmental passions, companies can save resources, energy and money as well as boost their eco-friendly reputation. The key is to help employees learn why sustainability matters — for instance, unless it’s slowed, climate change could alter global landscapes and increase natural disasters in our lifetimes. And if employees realize what’s at stake, they’ll find ways to save resources at work — as well as at home.

Worker to Citizen Scientist/> In a patch of woods in Edgewater, Md., bordering Smithsonian Environmental Research Center campus buildings, HSBC technology managers are intently straightening a measuring tape wrapped around a mature oak. Phil Clarke, from Portland, Ore., leans in and meticulously gets a reading of its diameter: 94.8 inches. During this weeklong Sustainability Leader training, he’s learning what scientists do and what shape the planet is in. He knows that the measurements taken today — even though what they reveal won’t be known for awhile — will help guide decisions that will keep our world sound for future generations.

His employer, HSBC bank — a global financial services company with 300,000 employees working in 8,000 offices and pre-tax profits topping $11 billion — decided to go carbon neutral in 2005. For the past three years, HSBC bank has partnered with EarthWatch Institute for an international study on climate change’s effects on tree growth, as well as a program that trains employees around the world in sustainability. When workers return to the office after their forest immersion, they find ways to integrate newly learned sustainability lessons in their spheres of influence.

Clarke and the other HSBC technology services managers from around North America — key decision-makers hand picked for the training — earn the title of Sustainability Leader. A larger two-week program trains HSBC employees from all levels — from cashier to marketing staffer — to become Climate Champions.

Such citizen science training helps corporate employees understand the mechanics of science — that systems are complex, and that there are no easy answers. “You learn what a critical state the world is actually in,” says Annette Fasolino of HSBC’s payment operations division in Buffalo, N.Y.

Having that up-close experience with scientists and ecosystems helps employees better grasp how climate change is impacting, and may impact, the world. “Many of these people go back and question their decisions, and make sure they’re making the most sustainable decisions,” says Thomas.

Cultivating the Grassroots/> Though the partnership between HSBC and EarthWatch is unique, other companies are also looking to their staff for sustainable solutions. “There’s no one best program for a company to educate their employees,” Badiane says.

Some companies or groups of motivated employees organize green teams, which promote eco-friendly changes and teach colleagues sustainable alternatives. Initiatives range from banning disposable utensils in the lunchroom to redesigning an operating system to save raw materials. “Ideally, you’re getting some new ideas out of your employees,” says Deborah Fleischer, president of Green Impact, a sustainability consulting service.

Businesses also use social media sites such as Yammer — a private social network for companies — or online training to generate sustainable ideas.

Other companies dangle a carrot — awards and incentives — to get workers to make sustainable choices. Yogurt maker Stonyfield tied facility energy savings (based on energy use per ton of product) to employee bonuses. In this way, the company reduced energy use by more than 22 percent, according to a NEEF report.

To engage workers of all levels, eBay employed competition: a Big Green Idea Contest. To enter, employees identified ways the company could meet greenhouse gas reduction goals; then, employees voted on the top ideas. One idea, the eBay Box — simple, eco-friendly packaging that’s meant to be reused for eBay shipments — has become a useful tool that saves money and resources.

Unfortunately, some companies’ efforts are no more than greenwashing stunts to appear eco-friendly and keep up with their competition. Producing disposable trinkets with “green” logos or launching environmental-focused public relations initiatives while pushing pollution limits does not jive with true sustainability. The companies mentioned here, however, offer genuine solutions that leave a lighter footprint.

Two Kinds of Green/> Such engagement can yield significant savings: One North American HSBC Climate Champion noticed that co-workers weren’t shutting down their PCs every night, wasting energy. Now, NightWatchman software automatically shuts down more than 6 million computers left on. During fiscal year 2010 in North America, the software coupled with an awareness program saved 4 million kilowatts per year of electricity and about 900 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which shaved $332,000 on energy bills.

At defense contractor Lockheed Martin, a Camden, Ark., building uses a software system to control lighting and air conditioning, leading to more than $200,000 in reduced costs and savings of 2,332 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to the NEEF report. And at drugmaker Genetech,  green teams slashed the use of bottled water, saving the company $200,000 a year by using filtered water machines paired with reusable bottles, according to a white paper by Fleischer, “Green Teams: Engaging Employees in Sustainability.”

But benefits to a company can’t always be calculated in dollars.

“By creating an engaged employee base, we’re really putting it into hearts and minds of employees, and that’s going to be much more powerful and long-term than saying ‘you must turn off your PC,’” says Sharon Walck, senior vice president of sustainability at HSBC North America.

Investing in and teaching sustainable values to workers also boosts retention, according to NEEF, which is extremely important to large corporations. The foundation says losing and replacing a good employee can cost a company between 70 percent and 200 percent of that employee’s annual salary.

And, Badiane says, “employees who are motivated want to work for a company that has the same values.”

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Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

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HD Wii successor expected at E3 | <b>News</b>

Nintendo is to show a high-definition home console at this year's E3 event in June, according to new reports. Game Inform...

Roofing Contractors Vancouver - 5 Questions to Really think

Roofing Vancouver - Faq's

1. Repair or Replace?

There's no opinion as an expert opinion. Most contractors will provide you with a totally free estimate. Get a summary of a couple trusted contractors and phone them well ahead of time of when you want to obtain your roof fixed so you can compare costs and opinions.

2. Beauty versus Practicality?

Discuss this with your spouse or partner. (The kids could care less...at least the children.) Truth is, nobody wants an ugly roof just like nobody wants to be seen with bed hair. If you've got a great quality roof and you just need to do the repair, it's worthwhile to pay the price of the initial shingle rather than doing patchwork. A roof replacement doesn't happen frequently (we hope!) and so make a choice that best suits you and your family well or it'll stick out like a sore thumb everyday you decide to go home.

3. Must i replace the roof so I can sell the house for additional?

Consider this cautiously prior to making a choice. Depending on the roofing material you select, a brand new roof lasts anywhere from twenty, fifty, to one-hundred years! This means you have to look into the year from the roof that's currently too deep first. Are you at year 18 of the 20-year warranted roof or year 30 of a 50-year warranted roof? Obviously, the quality is the reason why the roof last longer, but if you're not likely to stay in your current home throughout your life, the larger expense may not be worth your investment. Although a new roof can enhance the worth of your selling price, the rise may not be enough to cover your investment and that's definitely going to hurt your wallet.

4. Could it be a good idea for me to repair the rooftop myself?

Sure it is. Before you do, consult a specialist first. You can do it yourself, however, you shouldn't be considered a complete ‘lone ranger.' With respect to the extent of the repair, you might or might not convince you. Either way, it helps to get a professional eye about the problem first and maybe a free quote to help you do the math later and see if it's truly worth your time and effort, sweat, and money to become mister or miss fix-it.

5. When is a great time to get the roof replaced?

Weather can cause delays from days to weeks. Most people plan ahead to have their roof replaced in the summer when they have a friend will be home throughout the day for any solid fourteen days. Once you've this period in mind, make a call to a trusted contractor months ahead of time to get a quote. Some companies get booked up fast and odds are, they're the most reputable. Preparing in advance from the summer also gives you time to ask around many compare costs...especially if you need to possess the roof done by a particular date.

 

The very best Roofing Company In Vancouver!

It is possible to leak in your home's roof? Perhaps you have lost shingles or tiles inside a storm? Have overhanging branches caused damage? Is the roof a lot more than Two decades old and showing its age? Are your gutters overwhelmed and draining poorly?

When the response to any of these questions is "Yes" it is time to call the very best roofing company Vancouver - Crown Roofing & Drainage.

For over a century Crown Roofing continues to be the roofer of choice among our Vancouver neighbors. We provide complete roofing services, from emergency repairs and roof restoration, to complete roof replacement. All using the finest quality materials, installed with precision and the highest level of customer support.

YOUR Vancouver ROOF DESERVES Believe it or not!

The roof of your Vancouver house is the very first type of defence against wind, rain, snow, ice along with other weather conditions. Be sure it's up to the job. Among Vancouver Roofing companies, only Crown Roofing has got the depth of expertise and successful track record to ensure your roofing system will be properly designed and installed.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

One reason Crown Roofing continues to be probably the most successful roofing company in Vancouver is our commitment to our neighbors. We treat your house as though it were our very own and we were creating a roof to safeguard our own family. That's what neighbors do, and you will count on Crown Roofing being here to aid you and back our work. After all, we've been repairing and replacing roofs in Vancouver since 1902!

Obtain a FREE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION Of the Vancouver ROOF.

Go to the Roofers Vancouver for any FREE inspection and evaluation of the roof. Make sure you get the best roof for your Vancouver home, at the cost effective. We build roofs to last!

 

Tacoma Roofer: Help your house be Beautiful

Not many people understand the value of a good roof, your knowledgeable Tacoma Roofing company does. From top notch experience, they will be able to let you know why you need a strong, secure, and leak-free roof in your home.

Your local Tacoma Roofing contractor is knowledgeable how important an economic investment your house is for you, especially as it is a lasting one. Your house might have been damaged slowly through the years and also you have to take steps to minimize this damage. For a number of people, keeping their property beautiful is also a matter of pride. There are those too who'd like to turn their house into a cost effective and efficient living place. Your roof is a valuable part of your house and contributes to each one of the aspects mentioned previously. For this reason, you should employ the expertise of qualified a Tacoma Roofing company.

Kinds of Roofs installed with a Tacoma Roofer

Among the more common types of roofs are asphalt shingles, steel or metal sheeting, fiberglass, slate and terra cotta tiles.

Each type of roof invites distinct problems, however they can all be easily looked after with a trusted Tacoma Roofing company. It's vital that you nip roof problems within the bud before they become too costly or dangerous. You can schedule a scheduled appointment using the Tacoma Roofer to consider a glance at your roof to determine if there are any issues or potential problems with it. If there are, they might be in a position to tell you how to deal with them.

A Tacoma Roofing contractor Helps you to Build Strong Homes

The exteriors of any house, primarily the roof and gutters, face the onslaught of bitter and varying weather conditions, every single day. Painting, repairing, and cleaning gutters may be necessary. In some cases you may have to replace them completely. Usually, when your gutters show signs of trouble, your homes roof also needs to be inspected for problems. Whatever issues there may be, an experienced Tacoma Roofer can examine them at length and suggest the remedy.

If your gutters tend to clog too often, or there are leaks across the walls of your house, it might mean that there's debris piled up on the top. Loose branches, piles of leaves, and other light objects which are swept on your roof throughout a storm can all contribute towards damaging your homes roof, and these damages can be lasting. A knowledgeable Tacoma Roofer will explain that birds, mice, and other kinds of rodents often build nest within the debris that collects on the roof. While these nests may look rather innocent, they are great at collecting moisture, which can lead to loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your house. In addition, it may also cause vermin infestation. After a storm, your Tacoma Roofing company will claim that you inspect your homes roof for any signs and symptoms of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages with the Help of a Tacoma Roofing company

However high quality the roof might be, it is going to wear out with time. You will find shingles that are known as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are just associated with warranty produced by the makers. They seldom last that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles will not last a lot more than a few years. In an area that's vulnerable to storms, shingles or even the entire roof should get replaced every 10 years. With a Tacoma Roofing company, the price is going to be lower than what you believe.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing contractor will be able to help you. Damaged shingles can lead to indoor leaks, since the substrate of the roof becomes exposed to the elements. Shingles that are loose or broken can slip off and pose a potential hazard to individuals standing below. Missing shingles create a gap which allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to develop underneath the adjoining shingles, which creates a "domino effect" that affects other shingles plus they become loose or broken. A thorough investigation will be produced by your local Tacoma Roofer, if you give them a call up with your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.

Your Tacoma Roofing contractor come in a position to inform you what are the smartest choice is for your roof. If your roof isn't inside a good shape, it is advised you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofing company may take you thru the different roofing options available to you which will fit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Enhancing your Home's Efficiency

Your homes roof shelters you against storms, sleet, and hail. By giving adequate ventilation, your homes roof protects your home from overheating, by holding within the heat, it keeps your home warm. That's why you need to ready your roof from indoors as well as outdoors for any sort of weather emergency. A Qualified Tacoma Roofing company can offer assist in this case.

First of all, inspect your roof thoroughly for just about any and all sorts of kind of damage, prior to the beginning of a year. The gutters should be clear, debris should not be piled on or trapped under shingles, there should be no homes of squirrels or birds in the eaves or attic, and also the roof ought to be structurally sound. For your last part, you'll need the help of your local Tacoma Roofing contractor. It can be quite dangerous to climb onto the roof of your house. This is where the contractor from Tacoma Roofing company is available in. He'll check out the strength and security of your roof and shingles, and do a general inspection of the entire roof structure, to make certain that it's in proper working order. They will be able to point towards issues that you have to keep an eye on and problems you may not have spotted.

You will need all the help you could possibly get from the Tacoma Roofing company. You are able to help your roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to help prevent debris from forming in your gutters. The extra weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and may even tear them down. Look into the fasteners on your gutters and if they're loose, tighten them. Do something to change worn screws and brackets. For those who have a chimney in your home, inspect the bricks and mortar signs of wear. A reliable mason can be recommended by your Tacoma Roofer, if you will find any repairs to become done.

Tacoma Roofing company: Someone You Can Rely on
When you realize or suspect that there is a problem, your Tacoma Roofer should be contacted. They are able to use their knowledge and expertise to obtain your home in ace condition by simply focusing on the roof. Your homes roof deserves attention. So give them a call today, so that they can get down to working on your roof.

 

What is Distinction between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are getting a roofing company to re roof your house or building then you may be wondering what the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To start with, the main one big difference is that often times an industrial roofing company might have signed a contract with and be obligated to some roofing union in in a position to work on union commercial jobs.

If this is the situation then their labor costs will prohibit them from working on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if your commercial roofing company has not signed an agreement with a union they might be outfitted simply for commercial jobs which of course means their workers and equipment might not be in line with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors generally tend to run smaller companies and therefore, tend to be more capable of bid competitively on residential jobs, which are usually small compared to comercial jobs. Actually, often times residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, where the contractor that you talk to may be the one that actually does the work about the building.

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more epensive and a larger bond is required for any commercial roofing work which will make it not cost effective for any commercial roofing contractor to do residential roofing jobs.

Still an additional factor is the fact that commercial jobs can operate on tighter time period for just about any number of reasons, requiring an industrial contractor to train on a larger crew or crews which again makes smaller jobs not as profitable on their behalf.

 

Distinction between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Did you know that the roof of a house or building includes a huge impact on the whole structure itself? Damage caused to roofs due to natural or other disasters causes a considerable lack of property everywhere. The kind of materials used to construct the roof that ought to be sturdy and long-lasting, the manner in which the roof continues to be installed as well as its timely maintenance are extremely crucial. There's two types of roofs which are used on all of the buildings that we see around us: commercial and residential. Even though it might seem that commercial roofing is done just for businesses or offices and residential roofing is done for apartments and houses, in reality the differences are much more complex than that.

Residential roofing is generally completed by just one hired contractor but commercial roofing typically takes an entire team to accomplish the task. This is because an industrial roof is commonly larger in terms of square feet than a residential roof.
Commercial roofs are necessary carefully keeping the character and purpose of the building in your mind. For example, if there is a restaurant within the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes will be required. Residential roofs usually do not have such components other than a chimney or two at most.
Commercial roofs is commonly flat in design to accommodate further changes in a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks along with other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is a lot more expensive than residential roofing due to the special tools, materials and safety equipment that are needed onsite. Often the patching or maintenance work is done in segments unlike for any residential roof where the repair or replacement work could be carried out a short time. This is one more reason why the equipment used for residential roofs is usually smaller and less costly too.
Commercial roof installations take a extended period to accomplish in comparison to residential roof installations and are usually constructed in large sections. During this phase however, it is important to make sure that there are no leakages, cracks or other visible deterioration signs as it can certainly cause considerable harm to the entire building.
It is important to install the best roof for a building depending on its purpose. Ensure that you hire a construction company that utilizes first class materials and it has the best equipment to do the job or your investment risk turning to be considered a huge loss later.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractors: How to purchase a Qualified Commercial Roofing Company

If your clients are looking to have work done on its roof, it is important to work with commercial roofing contractors which have a keen knowledge of any special needs that the business might have. For example, a roofing job can often be disruptive for the operation of economic as always. Because of this, it may be essential for the company to be temporarily shut down, or the roofing to take place after business hours have ended. A roofing contractor that understands these needs can function together with a business to make certain these kinds of issues are minimized.

First of all , a business must do when it is trying to find commercial roofing contractors is to discover who other businesses in the region will work through. Obviously, this information will not be helpful whether it comes as a suggestion from competitors, but there are circumstances in which it is not too difficult to find these details from suppliers or retailers. Since roofing isn't an industry-specific service, this information is easily available.

It is a wise decision for just about any business to obtain touching at least three commercial roofing contractors to make bids on the price. In this manner, the business could obtain a better price. It's also vital that you make sure that each one of the roofing contractors is licensed and bonded. This information are available by getting in touch with their state contractor's board. This makes it possible to determine if there has been any claims filed against the company previously.

When examining bids, it is just as important to check out what services are now being offered and which products is going to be used as it is to look at the overall cost. The costs can differ quite drastically, but as tempting as it can be to choose the lowest bid, this is not always your best option. In many cases, more costs now means fewer costs over time due to an undesirable roofing job. To further investigate the quality of the job, it is a good idea to check on with the Bbb in order to find out if the company continues to be accredited, and when it has not, to a minimum of see what its rating is.

 

Selecting a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When you are looking for a roofer for the commercial roofing project you need to find a contractor who understands the special needs of the commercial roofing project. For example it can be harder to work on the business during business hours so either the company has to be turn off for the repair or replacement or the job has to be done after conventional business hours. May be the roofer you are considering to do the job ready to operate around your schedule constrictions that might involve working weekends or evenings?

When you start your search for a roofing contractor you don't only have to answer those questions but you also want to hire a company that will perform a top quality job without a great deal of time delays. Going about finding someone can seem like an obstacle in itself but there are several ways to make the search easier.

Ask people around you for referrals and then try to find at least three contractors to give you written bids in your job. Before you go any more you have to make sure that the contractors you are considering are fully licensed and bonded. An easy search with the state contractor's board will verify in case your roofer is licensed and if you will find any past judgments or claims against their license.

When you select three or four roofers to place bids, you need to get ready for that bids to be widely varied. Roofers may have brand preferences that will vary and may factor in pretty much than the next guy for a labor estimate. The greater detailed a written bid may be the more helpful it will likely be for you to see in which the cost are going to be incurred. Don't, however, pick a roofer based solely on the bid price. Any low ball bids might be tempting to take, but when they are low due to low quality workman ship it may not be worth it in the end.

As they say, you generally get what you purchase, so if you can afford a mid-priced bid it certainly is a good idea to go up within your budget rather than down. Additionally you ought to decide your roofer based on how professional they were and just how comfortable you anticipate you'll be dealing with them.

Finally your cost will be different based on what type of roofing material you select along with the cost to haul your old roof to the landfill. Should you be looking for places to chop corners on your roof, rather than cutting labor set you back might want to inquire about a metal roof option. Metal roofs could be cost effective and efficient which makes them overall money savers for the long run, and on commercial buildings they may be very low maintenance. Plus given that they can be put on top of a current roof, you don't have to possess the old one removed and hauled away, that make a large impact on your cost.

Selecting a comerical roofing company in your local area, doesn't have to become a struggle. For more information, visit http://www.vancouverroofers.net

 

Seattle Roofing Companies - How To Find The very best

In the home of rain and sleet, commercial coffee and grunge, and the famous space needle, you'll find a home that will suit you. Seattle, Washington can be a great place to construct a home, however, you need Seattle roofing contractors to help you out. Your roof is, after all, the crowning glory of your home, and your strongest type of defense from the elements. You need to have something which is not only built to last, but built to attract and make your house more beautiful

Harsh Weather

How come roofing contractors so important within this the main country? Because Seattle is usually bombarded by rain along with other harsh weather conditions, you'll need a roof that can withstand all of the forces of nature. With this thought, you'll need individuals who know the Seattle weather best, and who know what materials can best go into your roof for it to last far longer in the area. In addition to all this, you have to blend with the remainder from the houses in your living area, which means you cannot simply get whatever roof you please.

In all these aspects, a Seattle roofing contractors will be able to help you out. All that you should do is search for Seattle roofing contractors online so that you can obtain the best bang for your buck without wondering when the contractor will suddenly try to escape by using it and leave you roof-less.

Why the Contractor Model Works

If you wish to put up your roof on your own, you will have to purchase a whole lot of materials, secure permits and licenses, and obtain materials that are suitable for keep you safe against harsh extremes of Seattle weather. This means that if you are a DIY sort of guy or gal, you will have to undergo a large amount of legwork to get the task done.

However, a Seattle roofing contractor can do all the jobs for you and provide you with a package that may help you save money and time. Because contractors operate under licenses and purchase materials in bulk, they can get discounts on building materials that you would not otherwise get if you were buying merely for your own personel home.

Roofing Associations

Most roofing contractors also fit in with roofing organizations which are bound by strict guidelines and standards. When they do well on their roofing job, they can showcase their roofing contractors association; when they do poorly, they can ruin the reputation of their roofing contractors association and keep other contractors inside the association from receiving targeted roofing jobs. There is a lot of pressure to complete well, to help you be reassured that prefer a roofing job done in Seattle, you can get a contractor from a roofing association to assist you.

For instance, Seattle Roof Brokers operates with over 500 roofing contractors within the Puget Sound. This group has over fifty years of roofing experience and experience working with Seattle roofing contractors, so it will know what kind of roofing you want. The Roof Brokers group can put you in contact using the contractor that you need so you do not have to search for contractors individually.

What In the event you Demand from Your Contractor?

When you finally obtain a contractor in the Seattle area, you must do lots of background research about the roofing contractors themselves. Ask for a summary of previous companies or persons the contractor caused to get a definite view of the roofing contractor's work ethics and roof quality. Your roofing contractor should also have the appropriate working licenses and city licenses needed by the Seattle city government.

Pick a Seattle roofers that insures its employees, and that has courteous workers who'll respect your thinking and ensure that your needs are met. Ensure that you obtain the best bang for your buck: if you're not satisfied using the job, you need to be guaranteed either money-back, or a free, new roof. Moreover, additionally you need the workers to get the job done on time, so be strict with your deadlines - and discover a contractor that is as strict when you are.

You'll need guarantees and warranties on your roof, so locate a contractor that can meet your financial allowance and roofing needs. If you achieve in touch with good Seattle roofing contractors, you may be guaranteed a great roof along with a better house in this fantastic city.

Choosing the proper Roofer Company for Replacing Your Roof

The shingles inside your roof degrade and you're simply minded to locate a roofing contractor to replace the them. Perhaps you have already known as a few and are evaluating which contractor to use for your upcoming roof repair. How do you select the best contractor for working on your roof? Listed here are a number of things you should consider when searching for the best roofing contractor.

Where is the roofing contractor located? You should hire a roofing contractor that's local. Then you will get a higher level and services information when the roofing company can be found near your home or has an office near your residence.
References. To determine the reliability of the contractor, references ought to be provided of their past clients who're prepared to vouch that excellent service was received. This should 't be the only real factor in deciding upon your future roofer as some may claim they value the privacy of the clients and don't desire to bother them. If this sounds like the case, request business related references. The places that supply the contractor with supplies can reveal the quantity of materials and regularity of supplying the contractor to assist determine their stability.
How does the roofer company handle complaints? There are a large number of issues that can arise during the progress of a roofing replacement. Ask what their process is for handling complaints when they arise. It's also an excellent idea to receive a past client reference who had a complaint which was resolved towards the satisfaction from the client.
Terms of payment. Do you know the the payment schemes to do the job? What's the down payment and amount due upon completion? Even though it is certainly reasonable that the substantial payment be produced before a contractor begins work on a project, it is highly recommended that full payment isn't made until following the entire job is finished.
Written contract. All the roofing replacement ought to be place in an itemized contract. No the main contracting job should depend on verbal assurances.
Bonding. You will find things that can go wrong with roofing installations that wind up costing a substantial amount of money to fix. Should this happen on your roofing replacement, you'll feel a whole lot better knowing that your roofing contractor is bonded. This can provide the funds to repair whatever mistakes were made. Find a roofing contractor that's bonded.
Manufacturer Warranty. Quality materials for roofing typically come with a warranty. You should verify that there's actually a warranty about the materials being installed. Request a copy from the warranty.
Length of Time running a business How long has the company you're interviewing been in business? A short in time business may reflect instability. When the contractor has been around business less than three years, verify just how long they've been in the industry. A brand new contractor may have a long time experience working on roofs before they form their own business. Seek a company that's been around for three years, or where the contractor has already established a lot more years performing roofing replacements. It can should not be the only factor, all of us have to begin sometime. Balance this with referrals and the other points raised in the following paragraphs.
Appropriate Permits. A Seattle roofing contractor should know what permits are needed for repairing your roof. They should be conscious of how to obtain these permits on your behalf. Ask the contractor whether they will have the permits necessary to repair the roof.
Liability. If a worker becomes injured, who is accountable for the worker's compensation? If the contractor's equipment damages your house, who's liable for the repairs? A great contractor will give you certificates of insurance for liability and workers comp before they begin repairing your roof.
Subcontractors. Verify if the contractor is going to be using subcontractors. If that's the case, it is strongly advised that everything contained within this article for verifying if the contractor is credible also needs to be applied to subcontractors. You should get the names and license amounts of all subcontractors. You need to verify whether each subcontractor is also insured so you are not held responsible for their accidents.
Pending Legal Actions. You should verify whether there are any legal actions from the contractor. This is not merely essential for verifying if the roofing company is legitimate (credible roofing companies shouldn't need to defend themselves in court), it's also important because a lost lawsuit might lead to the contractor to visit bankrupt. If you have made a substantial down payment for services immediately prior to the company goes bankrupt, you can lose many thousands of dollars and not have your roofing completed.
Material Disposal. Who is accountable for getting rid of the waste generated from the roof being replaced? Will your contractor handle every aspect of this? Is there an additional cost for getting rid of this waste?
NRCA Membership. Membership in local or national roofing associations, like the NRCA, shows resolve for staying up to date with the most effective methods for roof replacement and maintenance. Find a roofer with a high standard of education regarding their trade.
Replacing your roof is a significant investment. It makes good sense to inquire about serious questions before using a roofing contractor. Here are a few more tips that you ought to consider when choosing the very best roofing contractor for your upcoming roofing replacement.

Payment. Do not create a full payment for services unless all jobs are finished.
Inspection. Don't create a full payment without having done your final inspection of services rendered.
Workers liens. Don't fully purchase the roofing replacement job until worker's lien releases have been obtained.
Oral Agreements. No agreement ought to be made verbally without backing up on paper. Every point which are important to you ought to be produced in writing.

 

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It is true that the worldwide web has become the biggest financial market nowadays. Practically everything is anchored on the web. Up to now, there are other than 182 million web sites in the internet but still counting. If all these websites offers possibilities to make money, consider the limitless opportunities that can be found in the internet. Moreover, using the emergence of web sites, the need for web hosting and Search| Engine Optimization is significantly defined.

Seo is actually the entire process of helping the visibility of the internet site. As a result, if you want your web site being visible to visitors, you ought to look for Seo agency. The optimization strategy considers how search spiders work and what people usually and what keywords they use. The main objective of SEO is making web sites visible browsing sites with the natural or organic way.

Organic search optimization or natural search engine marketing is really a saying used in describing unpaid, algorithm-driven results of any particular engine. Quite simply, organic SEO uses natural strategies in achieving search engine results ranking. While there's two camps with which search engine optimization companies may fall to, that will be the 'White Hat' as well as the 'Black Hat', organic SEO would not belong to the 'Black Hat' camp.

Organic search engine optimization is a highly specialized and complex practice that may literally dictate the success or failure of the web business. Since search sites often modify their algorithms, organic SEO is not super easy whatsoever. When search bots modify their algorithms, factors that allow your internet site to look in front of prospects are decayed too. Thus, to be able to deal with one of these changes, SEO tactics and methods should be employed.

It is always ethical to use organic search engine optimization since search sites nowadays have become extremely advanced that they can easily see whether an online site is trying to govern their search indexes. Thus it really is empirical to use search engine marketing practices which can be carried out wherein appear natural.

The approaches used by organic search engine optimization and artificial SEO are actually significantly different. Basically, organic SEO uses content compared to artificial SEO's technical loopholes. Moreover, natural seo provides attracting links rather than linking schemes utilized by artificial SEO. Natural SEO also creates valuable resource contrary to artificial SEO's algorithm chasing. With all these, you can clearly understand why search engine optimization is better than artificial search engine optimization. Even though latter might be more difficult and complex, it produces favorable results which are good for any web site. Fortunately, there are tons of Vancouver SEO companies today that offer the organic method in affordable rates and packages.

Search Engine Optimization Appears in this area

There was a time when search engine marketing was actually not necessary.

Even as late as a decade ago, if you developed a Website anywhere, Google indexed it and you gained visibility in the search results. Your page could have been with a free "estates" where anybody could put in a page and Google didn't mind. It may likewise have been a pure affiliate page with no original content and Google still indexed it.

Things are unrecognizably different now.

Affiliate pages with "cookie-cutter" content duplicated everywhere might never get to the Google index; exactly the same fate is probable for all those pages you add in on the free-for-all website. And also "proper" websites with your own personal website name didn't achieve visibility among the proliferating sites in millions.

These wouldn't normally have mattered, with the exception of something. It had been Google that provided the bread and butter for your an incredible number of smaller businesses that may not afford expensive marketing campaigns. If the site was one of the top few sites the appeared before a searcher's eyes when see your face sought out your product, you got hundreds and even a large number of visitors, many of whom even bought your products.

Search engine optimization (SEO) entered the scene. Internet search engine specialists "reverse-engineered" to identify the factors that Google consider for showing websites towards the top of its serp's pages. These factors were then consciously incorporated into your internet pages with the hope that Google can have your website the primary ten results it showed around the first page.

As more and more of your competitors adopted search engine optimization practices, things became difficult again. Your position began to slip in case your competitors did the SEO better. SEO battles became serious fights with every dirty trick working.

There was "black hat" SEO practitioners who showed one page to find engines and another to human visitors. As search engines are not bothered with readability, you might fill the "search engine" page with pure gibberish, but gibberish written in wherein the engine dutifully indexed high.

A war of wits followed between unscrupulous SEO practitioners and appearance engines. Google changed its ranking algorithms regularly to operate around practices that allowed low value content to seem at the top of its search results. In the end, Google's success leaned on providing value to searchers, not merchants. And SEO practitioners created new tricks.

We are going to examine search engine marketing in a number of articles, starting off by having an overall look at on-line or Internet marketing.

 

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