SEMA News—October 2012

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy SEMA Archives

Done for Pure Fun

At the 1970 Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships, the Top Fuel final came down to a duel between two close friends: Tony Nancy and Harry Hibler. Nancy, known for his outstanding upholstery work and for building a number of immaculate hot rods (several of which were featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine), had just entered the Top Fuel ranks that year. Hibler, who for years ran the San Fernando dragstrip, had started racing Top Fuelers a couple years before and was juggling his racing schedule around his day job, selling advertising at Petersen Publishing Company.

Today, Hibler remembers the meet vividly. In fact, this photo has been hanging on his wall pretty much since it was taken on that spring day more than 40 years ago.

“The Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships was considered the race to win, the racer’s race,” he said. “Just to qualify was unbelievable. But I think the main reason it stands out so much is because it’s the only time Tony and I ever raced each other. We were such good friends, almost like brothers.”

Hibler was having trouble with his Hemi-powered dragster that weekend. “I actually ran the entire meet with almost no brakes, relying just on the chute,” he said, and the NHRA has a photo of him going through the lights with the parachute working so hard that it had pulled all four tires off the ground.

By the time he went up against Nancy for the final round, there wasn’t enough braking power to hold the car at the line. Hibler red-lighted.

“People asked me if I let him win because we were friends, but I wanted to beat him badly,” Hibler recalled. “It had nothing to do with friendship. We were racers.” And yet you can plainly see the bond between them as Nancy, at left, savors his victory while Hibler is still climbing out of his car.

Note that Hibler’s rail was a front-engine dragster; Nancy’s was, too. In fact, this would be the last year a front-engine dragster won Top Fuel at the March Meet. The following year, Don Garlits sliced through the field with his rear-engine Swamp Rat.

“I don’t think the racers today are having the fun or camaraderie that we used to have,” Hibler said. “Back then, we raced because we loved it. We didn’t do it to get rich or make money. It was done for pure fun. And as upset as I was for losing, if I had to lose to anyone in that final round, I was glad it was Tony.”

 

SEMA News—October 2012

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy SEMA Archives

Done for Pure Fun

At the 1970 Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships, the Top Fuel final came down to a duel between two close friends: Tony Nancy and Harry Hibler. Nancy, known for his outstanding upholstery work and for building a number of immaculate hot rods (several of which were featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine), had just entered the Top Fuel ranks that year. Hibler, who for years ran the San Fernando dragstrip, had started racing Top Fuelers a couple years before and was juggling his racing schedule around his day job, selling advertising at Petersen Publishing Company.

Today, Hibler remembers the meet vividly. In fact, this photo has been hanging on his wall pretty much since it was taken on that spring day more than 40 years ago.

“The Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships was considered the race to win, the racer’s race,” he said. “Just to qualify was unbelievable. But I think the main reason it stands out so much is because it’s the only time Tony and I ever raced each other. We were such good friends, almost like brothers.”

Hibler was having trouble with his Hemi-powered dragster that weekend. “I actually ran the entire meet with almost no brakes, relying just on the chute,” he said, and the NHRA has a photo of him going through the lights with the parachute working so hard that it had pulled all four tires off the ground.

By the time he went up against Nancy for the final round, there wasn’t enough braking power to hold the car at the line. Hibler red-lighted.

“People asked me if I let him win because we were friends, but I wanted to beat him badly,” Hibler recalled. “It had nothing to do with friendship. We were racers.” And yet you can plainly see the bond between them as Nancy, at left, savors his victory while Hibler is still climbing out of his car.

Note that Hibler’s rail was a front-engine dragster; Nancy’s was, too. In fact, this would be the last year a front-engine dragster won Top Fuel at the March Meet. The following year, Don Garlits sliced through the field with his rear-engine Swamp Rat.

“I don’t think the racers today are having the fun or camaraderie that we used to have,” Hibler said. “Back then, we raced because we loved it. We didn’t do it to get rich or make money. It was done for pure fun. And as upset as I was for losing, if I had to lose to anyone in that final round, I was glad it was Tony.”

 

SEMA News—October 2012

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy SEMA Archives

Done for Pure Fun

At the 1970 Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships, the Top Fuel final came down to a duel between two close friends: Tony Nancy and Harry Hibler. Nancy, known for his outstanding upholstery work and for building a number of immaculate hot rods (several of which were featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine), had just entered the Top Fuel ranks that year. Hibler, who for years ran the San Fernando dragstrip, had started racing Top Fuelers a couple years before and was juggling his racing schedule around his day job, selling advertising at Petersen Publishing Company.

Today, Hibler remembers the meet vividly. In fact, this photo has been hanging on his wall pretty much since it was taken on that spring day more than 40 years ago.

“The Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships was considered the race to win, the racer’s race,” he said. “Just to qualify was unbelievable. But I think the main reason it stands out so much is because it’s the only time Tony and I ever raced each other. We were such good friends, almost like brothers.”

Hibler was having trouble with his Hemi-powered dragster that weekend. “I actually ran the entire meet with almost no brakes, relying just on the chute,” he said, and the NHRA has a photo of him going through the lights with the parachute working so hard that it had pulled all four tires off the ground.

By the time he went up against Nancy for the final round, there wasn’t enough braking power to hold the car at the line. Hibler red-lighted.

“People asked me if I let him win because we were friends, but I wanted to beat him badly,” Hibler recalled. “It had nothing to do with friendship. We were racers.” And yet you can plainly see the bond between them as Nancy, at left, savors his victory while Hibler is still climbing out of his car.

Note that Hibler’s rail was a front-engine dragster; Nancy’s was, too. In fact, this would be the last year a front-engine dragster won Top Fuel at the March Meet. The following year, Don Garlits sliced through the field with his rear-engine Swamp Rat.

“I don’t think the racers today are having the fun or camaraderie that we used to have,” Hibler said. “Back then, we raced because we loved it. We didn’t do it to get rich or make money. It was done for pure fun. And as upset as I was for losing, if I had to lose to anyone in that final round, I was glad it was Tony.”

 

SEMA News—October 2012

HERITAGE
By Drew Hardin
Photo Courtesy SEMA Archives

Done for Pure Fun

At the 1970 Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships, the Top Fuel final came down to a duel between two close friends: Tony Nancy and Harry Hibler. Nancy, known for his outstanding upholstery work and for building a number of immaculate hot rods (several of which were featured on the cover of Hot Rod magazine), had just entered the Top Fuel ranks that year. Hibler, who for years ran the San Fernando dragstrip, had started racing Top Fuelers a couple years before and was juggling his racing schedule around his day job, selling advertising at Petersen Publishing Company.

Today, Hibler remembers the meet vividly. In fact, this photo has been hanging on his wall pretty much since it was taken on that spring day more than 40 years ago.

“The Bakersfield Fuel & Gas Championships was considered the race to win, the racer’s race,” he said. “Just to qualify was unbelievable. But I think the main reason it stands out so much is because it’s the only time Tony and I ever raced each other. We were such good friends, almost like brothers.”

Hibler was having trouble with his Hemi-powered dragster that weekend. “I actually ran the entire meet with almost no brakes, relying just on the chute,” he said, and the NHRA has a photo of him going through the lights with the parachute working so hard that it had pulled all four tires off the ground.

By the time he went up against Nancy for the final round, there wasn’t enough braking power to hold the car at the line. Hibler red-lighted.

“People asked me if I let him win because we were friends, but I wanted to beat him badly,” Hibler recalled. “It had nothing to do with friendship. We were racers.” And yet you can plainly see the bond between them as Nancy, at left, savors his victory while Hibler is still climbing out of his car.

Note that Hibler’s rail was a front-engine dragster; Nancy’s was, too. In fact, this would be the last year a front-engine dragster won Top Fuel at the March Meet. The following year, Don Garlits sliced through the field with his rear-engine Swamp Rat.

“I don’t think the racers today are having the fun or camaraderie that we used to have,” Hibler said. “Back then, we raced because we loved it. We didn’t do it to get rich or make money. It was done for pure fun. And as upset as I was for losing, if I had to lose to anyone in that final round, I was glad it was Tony.”

 

SEMA News—October 2012 

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

Going Mobile on the Cheap

Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

Once a passing consideration, going mobile is now considered imperative for businesses looking to stay abreast of the unbridled popularity of tablets, smartphones and other handheld computerized devices—all of which demand websites designed for small screens. Indeed, according to eMarketer, there will be 54.8 million tablet users in the United States by the close of 2012 and 89.5 million by 2014. All told, 234 million Americans 13 and older were using mobile devices in April 2012, and 107 million of those people were using smartphones, according to Comscore.

Instead of building a mobile-friendly website from the ground up, many businesses simply opt for mobile website templates, which can be easily customized by adding text and images to pre-configured layouts. Among the easiest to use of this ilk are templates offered by AllwebCo Design. AllwebCo makes templates that can be quickly customized with a simple text editor, such as MS Notepad, with no web authoring software required. The company’s basic mobile website templates start at about $21; more sophisticated versions run $125 or more.

Similar template providers include Template Monster and Artisteer. Plus, businesses that are using the Wordpress platform can find scores of mobile-friendly Wordpress templates for as little as $8 at template clearinghouse sites such as Themeforest and Code-canyon.

Meanwhile, there are also a number of “gee-whiz” conversion services on the web that will convert any traditional website on the fly for anyone willing to type in their website address and press “Enter.” Essentially, these self-service online providers attempt to grab the essential data, colors and design elements of your website and then re-display them in a mobile-friendly form—usually in a matter of seconds. Subsequently, you’re presented with a number of online tools that you can use to tweak the resulting design to your taste and preference. Most of the services also offer free analytics with their packages, so you can track customer activity on your new mobile website. And many offer tools that allow you to effortlessly add mobile-specific features, such as click-to-call and mobile-friendly videos.

Seslija’s bMobilized service, for example, offers to do an initial on-the-fly conversion of your website in under 30 seconds. Subsequently, you’re able to use online tools to edit, create or replace menus, tweak your logo, customize headers and footers, drop in advertising and perform similar tweaks to ensure that your mobile site is just right. Trial use is free, and there’s a monthly $9 charge for customers who want to continue the service with tech support.

One of the coolest features of bMobilized is that it automatically updates the mobile version of your website any time you update your traditional website. Similar services are offered by Google’s GOMO, which is free for the first year and then $108 yearly, and Duda Mobile, which costs $9 monthly for the ad-free version.

Besides deciding on a template or an online service provider, one of the key considerations in going mobile is determining if you’ll leave your traditional web presence provider behind. While many mobile presence providers would have you abandon your traditional website design altogether, other web marketing analysts say that businesses may want to stick with a traditional website for people cruising the web on 24-in. or larger screens and then offer a scaled-down, mobile alternative for tiny-screen fans.

Once you’ve made that call, you’ll want to consider these top 10 best practices of mobile web design, as recommended by Google GOMO:

Keep It Quick: Given that many mobile users use their devices during spare moments, it’s crucial that your mobile site loads fast and is pain-free to use. In practice, that means prioritizing content and features that mobile users need most. You’ll also want to reduce large blocks of text to bullet-pointed text and ensure that images are small and compressed for easy loading.

Simplify Navigation: As much as possible, try to minimize the need for scrolling on your mobile site. Any scrolling required should be vertical, and you’ll want to establish a clear hierarchy in menus. Make navigation easier by offering clear “Back” and “Home” buttons. Use seven navigation links or fewer per page. And have a search box prominently available on complex sites.

Be Thumb Friendly: With mobile, the thumb rules. So use large, centered buttons for easy thumb navigation. And give users breathing room to reduce accidental clicks. Pad smaller buttons to increase the clickable area. And pad check boxes by making the text next to the boxes clickable.

	A Google employee takes a break from reinventing the web.

Design for Visibility: Mobile users are often in low-light environments. So always be sure to create contrast between background and text. All content should fit onscreen without forcing the mobile user to pinch or zoom. And use size and color to indicate link/button priority.

Make It Accessible: In a perfect world, your mobile site should work across all devices. Consequently, you may want to find alternatives for Flash, since the video format does not work on all devices. Use HTML5 for interactivity and animation. Adapt your site for both vertical and horizontal screen orientation. And design to keep users in the same place when they change orientation.

Make Transactions Easy: To increase sales and calls to action, focus on information that will spur a transaction. And reduce the number of steps to complete a transaction. Forms should be short, using the fewest number of fields possible. And use check boxes, lists and scroll menus to make data entry easier. Also, use click-to-call functionality for all phone numbers.

Make It Local: If your business depends heavily on local clients/customers, be sure that your address is on the landing page. You’ll also want easily accessible maps and directions.

Sync Your Traditional and Mobile Sites: People now use multiple screens throughout the day. So make it easy for visitors to visit on both by allowing them to save popular searches and shopping-cart contents. You’ll also want to retain the look and feel of your web presence on all platforms.

Use Mobile Site Redirects: Such redirects are code embedded in your website and automatically sense that your visitors are using a mobile device and send them to the mobile-friendly version of your site. Once you’ve embedded this code, always offer users a choice to go back to your traditional website if they prefer.

Listen, Learn and Refine: Use free analytics programs such as Google Analytics to understand how people are using your site and to continually improve their experiences. You can also use surveys and other feedback tools to supplement that analysis.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—October 2012 

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

Going Mobile on the Cheap

Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

Once a passing consideration, going mobile is now considered imperative for businesses looking to stay abreast of the unbridled popularity of tablets, smartphones and other handheld computerized devices—all of which demand websites designed for small screens. Indeed, according to eMarketer, there will be 54.8 million tablet users in the United States by the close of 2012 and 89.5 million by 2014. All told, 234 million Americans 13 and older were using mobile devices in April 2012, and 107 million of those people were using smartphones, according to Comscore.

Instead of building a mobile-friendly website from the ground up, many businesses simply opt for mobile website templates, which can be easily customized by adding text and images to pre-configured layouts. Among the easiest to use of this ilk are templates offered by AllwebCo Design. AllwebCo makes templates that can be quickly customized with a simple text editor, such as MS Notepad, with no web authoring software required. The company’s basic mobile website templates start at about $21; more sophisticated versions run $125 or more.

Similar template providers include Template Monster and Artisteer. Plus, businesses that are using the Wordpress platform can find scores of mobile-friendly Wordpress templates for as little as $8 at template clearinghouse sites such as Themeforest and Code-canyon.

Meanwhile, there are also a number of “gee-whiz” conversion services on the web that will convert any traditional website on the fly for anyone willing to type in their website address and press “Enter.” Essentially, these self-service online providers attempt to grab the essential data, colors and design elements of your website and then re-display them in a mobile-friendly form—usually in a matter of seconds. Subsequently, you’re presented with a number of online tools that you can use to tweak the resulting design to your taste and preference. Most of the services also offer free analytics with their packages, so you can track customer activity on your new mobile website. And many offer tools that allow you to effortlessly add mobile-specific features, such as click-to-call and mobile-friendly videos.

Seslija’s bMobilized service, for example, offers to do an initial on-the-fly conversion of your website in under 30 seconds. Subsequently, you’re able to use online tools to edit, create or replace menus, tweak your logo, customize headers and footers, drop in advertising and perform similar tweaks to ensure that your mobile site is just right. Trial use is free, and there’s a monthly $9 charge for customers who want to continue the service with tech support.

One of the coolest features of bMobilized is that it automatically updates the mobile version of your website any time you update your traditional website. Similar services are offered by Google’s GOMO, which is free for the first year and then $108 yearly, and Duda Mobile, which costs $9 monthly for the ad-free version.

Besides deciding on a template or an online service provider, one of the key considerations in going mobile is determining if you’ll leave your traditional web presence provider behind. While many mobile presence providers would have you abandon your traditional website design altogether, other web marketing analysts say that businesses may want to stick with a traditional website for people cruising the web on 24-in. or larger screens and then offer a scaled-down, mobile alternative for tiny-screen fans.

Once you’ve made that call, you’ll want to consider these top 10 best practices of mobile web design, as recommended by Google GOMO:

Keep It Quick: Given that many mobile users use their devices during spare moments, it’s crucial that your mobile site loads fast and is pain-free to use. In practice, that means prioritizing content and features that mobile users need most. You’ll also want to reduce large blocks of text to bullet-pointed text and ensure that images are small and compressed for easy loading.

Simplify Navigation: As much as possible, try to minimize the need for scrolling on your mobile site. Any scrolling required should be vertical, and you’ll want to establish a clear hierarchy in menus. Make navigation easier by offering clear “Back” and “Home” buttons. Use seven navigation links or fewer per page. And have a search box prominently available on complex sites.

Be Thumb Friendly: With mobile, the thumb rules. So use large, centered buttons for easy thumb navigation. And give users breathing room to reduce accidental clicks. Pad smaller buttons to increase the clickable area. And pad check boxes by making the text next to the boxes clickable.

	A Google employee takes a break from reinventing the web.

Design for Visibility: Mobile users are often in low-light environments. So always be sure to create contrast between background and text. All content should fit onscreen without forcing the mobile user to pinch or zoom. And use size and color to indicate link/button priority.

Make It Accessible: In a perfect world, your mobile site should work across all devices. Consequently, you may want to find alternatives for Flash, since the video format does not work on all devices. Use HTML5 for interactivity and animation. Adapt your site for both vertical and horizontal screen orientation. And design to keep users in the same place when they change orientation.

Make Transactions Easy: To increase sales and calls to action, focus on information that will spur a transaction. And reduce the number of steps to complete a transaction. Forms should be short, using the fewest number of fields possible. And use check boxes, lists and scroll menus to make data entry easier. Also, use click-to-call functionality for all phone numbers.

Make It Local: If your business depends heavily on local clients/customers, be sure that your address is on the landing page. You’ll also want easily accessible maps and directions.

Sync Your Traditional and Mobile Sites: People now use multiple screens throughout the day. So make it easy for visitors to visit on both by allowing them to save popular searches and shopping-cart contents. You’ll also want to retain the look and feel of your web presence on all platforms.

Use Mobile Site Redirects: Such redirects are code embedded in your website and automatically sense that your visitors are using a mobile device and send them to the mobile-friendly version of your site. Once you’ve embedded this code, always offer users a choice to go back to your traditional website if they prefer.

Listen, Learn and Refine: Use free analytics programs such as Google Analytics to understand how people are using your site and to continually improve their experiences. You can also use surveys and other feedback tools to supplement that analysis.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—October 2012 

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

Going Mobile on the Cheap

Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

Once a passing consideration, going mobile is now considered imperative for businesses looking to stay abreast of the unbridled popularity of tablets, smartphones and other handheld computerized devices—all of which demand websites designed for small screens. Indeed, according to eMarketer, there will be 54.8 million tablet users in the United States by the close of 2012 and 89.5 million by 2014. All told, 234 million Americans 13 and older were using mobile devices in April 2012, and 107 million of those people were using smartphones, according to Comscore.

Instead of building a mobile-friendly website from the ground up, many businesses simply opt for mobile website templates, which can be easily customized by adding text and images to pre-configured layouts. Among the easiest to use of this ilk are templates offered by AllwebCo Design. AllwebCo makes templates that can be quickly customized with a simple text editor, such as MS Notepad, with no web authoring software required. The company’s basic mobile website templates start at about $21; more sophisticated versions run $125 or more.

Similar template providers include Template Monster and Artisteer. Plus, businesses that are using the Wordpress platform can find scores of mobile-friendly Wordpress templates for as little as $8 at template clearinghouse sites such as Themeforest and Code-canyon.

Meanwhile, there are also a number of “gee-whiz” conversion services on the web that will convert any traditional website on the fly for anyone willing to type in their website address and press “Enter.” Essentially, these self-service online providers attempt to grab the essential data, colors and design elements of your website and then re-display them in a mobile-friendly form—usually in a matter of seconds. Subsequently, you’re presented with a number of online tools that you can use to tweak the resulting design to your taste and preference. Most of the services also offer free analytics with their packages, so you can track customer activity on your new mobile website. And many offer tools that allow you to effortlessly add mobile-specific features, such as click-to-call and mobile-friendly videos.

Seslija’s bMobilized service, for example, offers to do an initial on-the-fly conversion of your website in under 30 seconds. Subsequently, you’re able to use online tools to edit, create or replace menus, tweak your logo, customize headers and footers, drop in advertising and perform similar tweaks to ensure that your mobile site is just right. Trial use is free, and there’s a monthly $9 charge for customers who want to continue the service with tech support.

One of the coolest features of bMobilized is that it automatically updates the mobile version of your website any time you update your traditional website. Similar services are offered by Google’s GOMO, which is free for the first year and then $108 yearly, and Duda Mobile, which costs $9 monthly for the ad-free version.

Besides deciding on a template or an online service provider, one of the key considerations in going mobile is determining if you’ll leave your traditional web presence provider behind. While many mobile presence providers would have you abandon your traditional website design altogether, other web marketing analysts say that businesses may want to stick with a traditional website for people cruising the web on 24-in. or larger screens and then offer a scaled-down, mobile alternative for tiny-screen fans.

Once you’ve made that call, you’ll want to consider these top 10 best practices of mobile web design, as recommended by Google GOMO:

Keep It Quick: Given that many mobile users use their devices during spare moments, it’s crucial that your mobile site loads fast and is pain-free to use. In practice, that means prioritizing content and features that mobile users need most. You’ll also want to reduce large blocks of text to bullet-pointed text and ensure that images are small and compressed for easy loading.

Simplify Navigation: As much as possible, try to minimize the need for scrolling on your mobile site. Any scrolling required should be vertical, and you’ll want to establish a clear hierarchy in menus. Make navigation easier by offering clear “Back” and “Home” buttons. Use seven navigation links or fewer per page. And have a search box prominently available on complex sites.

Be Thumb Friendly: With mobile, the thumb rules. So use large, centered buttons for easy thumb navigation. And give users breathing room to reduce accidental clicks. Pad smaller buttons to increase the clickable area. And pad check boxes by making the text next to the boxes clickable.

	A Google employee takes a break from reinventing the web.

Design for Visibility: Mobile users are often in low-light environments. So always be sure to create contrast between background and text. All content should fit onscreen without forcing the mobile user to pinch or zoom. And use size and color to indicate link/button priority.

Make It Accessible: In a perfect world, your mobile site should work across all devices. Consequently, you may want to find alternatives for Flash, since the video format does not work on all devices. Use HTML5 for interactivity and animation. Adapt your site for both vertical and horizontal screen orientation. And design to keep users in the same place when they change orientation.

Make Transactions Easy: To increase sales and calls to action, focus on information that will spur a transaction. And reduce the number of steps to complete a transaction. Forms should be short, using the fewest number of fields possible. And use check boxes, lists and scroll menus to make data entry easier. Also, use click-to-call functionality for all phone numbers.

Make It Local: If your business depends heavily on local clients/customers, be sure that your address is on the landing page. You’ll also want easily accessible maps and directions.

Sync Your Traditional and Mobile Sites: People now use multiple screens throughout the day. So make it easy for visitors to visit on both by allowing them to save popular searches and shopping-cart contents. You’ll also want to retain the look and feel of your web presence on all platforms.

Use Mobile Site Redirects: Such redirects are code embedded in your website and automatically sense that your visitors are using a mobile device and send them to the mobile-friendly version of your site. Once you’ve embedded this code, always offer users a choice to go back to your traditional website if they prefer.

Listen, Learn and Refine: Use free analytics programs such as Google Analytics to understand how people are using your site and to continually improve their experiences. You can also use surveys and other feedback tools to supplement that analysis.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—October 2012 

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

Going Mobile on the Cheap

Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

Once a passing consideration, going mobile is now considered imperative for businesses looking to stay abreast of the unbridled popularity of tablets, smartphones and other handheld computerized devices—all of which demand websites designed for small screens. Indeed, according to eMarketer, there will be 54.8 million tablet users in the United States by the close of 2012 and 89.5 million by 2014. All told, 234 million Americans 13 and older were using mobile devices in April 2012, and 107 million of those people were using smartphones, according to Comscore.

Instead of building a mobile-friendly website from the ground up, many businesses simply opt for mobile website templates, which can be easily customized by adding text and images to pre-configured layouts. Among the easiest to use of this ilk are templates offered by AllwebCo Design. AllwebCo makes templates that can be quickly customized with a simple text editor, such as MS Notepad, with no web authoring software required. The company’s basic mobile website templates start at about $21; more sophisticated versions run $125 or more.

Similar template providers include Template Monster and Artisteer. Plus, businesses that are using the Wordpress platform can find scores of mobile-friendly Wordpress templates for as little as $8 at template clearinghouse sites such as Themeforest and Code-canyon.

Meanwhile, there are also a number of “gee-whiz” conversion services on the web that will convert any traditional website on the fly for anyone willing to type in their website address and press “Enter.” Essentially, these self-service online providers attempt to grab the essential data, colors and design elements of your website and then re-display them in a mobile-friendly form—usually in a matter of seconds. Subsequently, you’re presented with a number of online tools that you can use to tweak the resulting design to your taste and preference. Most of the services also offer free analytics with their packages, so you can track customer activity on your new mobile website. And many offer tools that allow you to effortlessly add mobile-specific features, such as click-to-call and mobile-friendly videos.

Seslija’s bMobilized service, for example, offers to do an initial on-the-fly conversion of your website in under 30 seconds. Subsequently, you’re able to use online tools to edit, create or replace menus, tweak your logo, customize headers and footers, drop in advertising and perform similar tweaks to ensure that your mobile site is just right. Trial use is free, and there’s a monthly $9 charge for customers who want to continue the service with tech support.

One of the coolest features of bMobilized is that it automatically updates the mobile version of your website any time you update your traditional website. Similar services are offered by Google’s GOMO, which is free for the first year and then $108 yearly, and Duda Mobile, which costs $9 monthly for the ad-free version.

Besides deciding on a template or an online service provider, one of the key considerations in going mobile is determining if you’ll leave your traditional web presence provider behind. While many mobile presence providers would have you abandon your traditional website design altogether, other web marketing analysts say that businesses may want to stick with a traditional website for people cruising the web on 24-in. or larger screens and then offer a scaled-down, mobile alternative for tiny-screen fans.

Once you’ve made that call, you’ll want to consider these top 10 best practices of mobile web design, as recommended by Google GOMO:

Keep It Quick: Given that many mobile users use their devices during spare moments, it’s crucial that your mobile site loads fast and is pain-free to use. In practice, that means prioritizing content and features that mobile users need most. You’ll also want to reduce large blocks of text to bullet-pointed text and ensure that images are small and compressed for easy loading.

Simplify Navigation: As much as possible, try to minimize the need for scrolling on your mobile site. Any scrolling required should be vertical, and you’ll want to establish a clear hierarchy in menus. Make navigation easier by offering clear “Back” and “Home” buttons. Use seven navigation links or fewer per page. And have a search box prominently available on complex sites.

Be Thumb Friendly: With mobile, the thumb rules. So use large, centered buttons for easy thumb navigation. And give users breathing room to reduce accidental clicks. Pad smaller buttons to increase the clickable area. And pad check boxes by making the text next to the boxes clickable.

	A Google employee takes a break from reinventing the web.

Design for Visibility: Mobile users are often in low-light environments. So always be sure to create contrast between background and text. All content should fit onscreen without forcing the mobile user to pinch or zoom. And use size and color to indicate link/button priority.

Make It Accessible: In a perfect world, your mobile site should work across all devices. Consequently, you may want to find alternatives for Flash, since the video format does not work on all devices. Use HTML5 for interactivity and animation. Adapt your site for both vertical and horizontal screen orientation. And design to keep users in the same place when they change orientation.

Make Transactions Easy: To increase sales and calls to action, focus on information that will spur a transaction. And reduce the number of steps to complete a transaction. Forms should be short, using the fewest number of fields possible. And use check boxes, lists and scroll menus to make data entry easier. Also, use click-to-call functionality for all phone numbers.

Make It Local: If your business depends heavily on local clients/customers, be sure that your address is on the landing page. You’ll also want easily accessible maps and directions.

Sync Your Traditional and Mobile Sites: People now use multiple screens throughout the day. So make it easy for visitors to visit on both by allowing them to save popular searches and shopping-cart contents. You’ll also want to retain the look and feel of your web presence on all platforms.

Use Mobile Site Redirects: Such redirects are code embedded in your website and automatically sense that your visitors are using a mobile device and send them to the mobile-friendly version of your site. Once you’ve embedded this code, always offer users a choice to go back to your traditional website if they prefer.

Listen, Learn and Refine: Use free analytics programs such as Google Analytics to understand how people are using your site and to continually improve their experiences. You can also use surveys and other feedback tools to supplement that analysis.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—October 2012 

INTERNET
By Joe Dysart

Going Mobile on the Cheap

Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly for $100 or Less

Businesses looking to quickly establish a mobile-friendly presence on the web can take heart: There are scores of mobile template providers and conversion services that can now make your website mobile-ready for $100 or less. The nine out of 10 small businesses that still do not have optimized mobile sites because of technical or financial restraints now have the means to build their own professional-looking, brand-identical mobile sites at rock-bottom rates, said Ben Seslija, CEO of bMobilized.

Once a passing consideration, going mobile is now considered imperative for businesses looking to stay abreast of the unbridled popularity of tablets, smartphones and other handheld computerized devices—all of which demand websites designed for small screens. Indeed, according to eMarketer, there will be 54.8 million tablet users in the United States by the close of 2012 and 89.5 million by 2014. All told, 234 million Americans 13 and older were using mobile devices in April 2012, and 107 million of those people were using smartphones, according to Comscore.

Instead of building a mobile-friendly website from the ground up, many businesses simply opt for mobile website templates, which can be easily customized by adding text and images to pre-configured layouts. Among the easiest to use of this ilk are templates offered by AllwebCo Design. AllwebCo makes templates that can be quickly customized with a simple text editor, such as MS Notepad, with no web authoring software required. The company’s basic mobile website templates start at about $21; more sophisticated versions run $125 or more.

Similar template providers include Template Monster and Artisteer. Plus, businesses that are using the Wordpress platform can find scores of mobile-friendly Wordpress templates for as little as $8 at template clearinghouse sites such as Themeforest and Code-canyon.

Meanwhile, there are also a number of “gee-whiz” conversion services on the web that will convert any traditional website on the fly for anyone willing to type in their website address and press “Enter.” Essentially, these self-service online providers attempt to grab the essential data, colors and design elements of your website and then re-display them in a mobile-friendly form—usually in a matter of seconds. Subsequently, you’re presented with a number of online tools that you can use to tweak the resulting design to your taste and preference. Most of the services also offer free analytics with their packages, so you can track customer activity on your new mobile website. And many offer tools that allow you to effortlessly add mobile-specific features, such as click-to-call and mobile-friendly videos.

Seslija’s bMobilized service, for example, offers to do an initial on-the-fly conversion of your website in under 30 seconds. Subsequently, you’re able to use online tools to edit, create or replace menus, tweak your logo, customize headers and footers, drop in advertising and perform similar tweaks to ensure that your mobile site is just right. Trial use is free, and there’s a monthly $9 charge for customers who want to continue the service with tech support.

One of the coolest features of bMobilized is that it automatically updates the mobile version of your website any time you update your traditional website. Similar services are offered by Google’s GOMO, which is free for the first year and then $108 yearly, and Duda Mobile, which costs $9 monthly for the ad-free version.

Besides deciding on a template or an online service provider, one of the key considerations in going mobile is determining if you’ll leave your traditional web presence provider behind. While many mobile presence providers would have you abandon your traditional website design altogether, other web marketing analysts say that businesses may want to stick with a traditional website for people cruising the web on 24-in. or larger screens and then offer a scaled-down, mobile alternative for tiny-screen fans.

Once you’ve made that call, you’ll want to consider these top 10 best practices of mobile web design, as recommended by Google GOMO:

Keep It Quick: Given that many mobile users use their devices during spare moments, it’s crucial that your mobile site loads fast and is pain-free to use. In practice, that means prioritizing content and features that mobile users need most. You’ll also want to reduce large blocks of text to bullet-pointed text and ensure that images are small and compressed for easy loading.

Simplify Navigation: As much as possible, try to minimize the need for scrolling on your mobile site. Any scrolling required should be vertical, and you’ll want to establish a clear hierarchy in menus. Make navigation easier by offering clear “Back” and “Home” buttons. Use seven navigation links or fewer per page. And have a search box prominently available on complex sites.

Be Thumb Friendly: With mobile, the thumb rules. So use large, centered buttons for easy thumb navigation. And give users breathing room to reduce accidental clicks. Pad smaller buttons to increase the clickable area. And pad check boxes by making the text next to the boxes clickable.

	A Google employee takes a break from reinventing the web.

Design for Visibility: Mobile users are often in low-light environments. So always be sure to create contrast between background and text. All content should fit onscreen without forcing the mobile user to pinch or zoom. And use size and color to indicate link/button priority.

Make It Accessible: In a perfect world, your mobile site should work across all devices. Consequently, you may want to find alternatives for Flash, since the video format does not work on all devices. Use HTML5 for interactivity and animation. Adapt your site for both vertical and horizontal screen orientation. And design to keep users in the same place when they change orientation.

Make Transactions Easy: To increase sales and calls to action, focus on information that will spur a transaction. And reduce the number of steps to complete a transaction. Forms should be short, using the fewest number of fields possible. And use check boxes, lists and scroll menus to make data entry easier. Also, use click-to-call functionality for all phone numbers.

Make It Local: If your business depends heavily on local clients/customers, be sure that your address is on the landing page. You’ll also want easily accessible maps and directions.

Sync Your Traditional and Mobile Sites: People now use multiple screens throughout the day. So make it easy for visitors to visit on both by allowing them to save popular searches and shopping-cart contents. You’ll also want to retain the look and feel of your web presence on all platforms.

Use Mobile Site Redirects: Such redirects are code embedded in your website and automatically sense that your visitors are using a mobile device and send them to the mobile-friendly version of your site. Once you’ve embedded this code, always offer users a choice to go back to your traditional website if they prefer.

Listen, Learn and Refine: Use free analytics programs such as Google Analytics to understand how people are using your site and to continually improve their experiences. You can also use surveys and other feedback tools to supplement that analysis.

Joe Dysart is an Internet speaker and business consultant based in Manhattan.
646-233-4089
joe@joedysart.com
www.joedysart.com

SEMA News—October 2012

INTERNATIONAL
By Linda Spencer

Branching Out

Helping International Buyers Find You at the SEMA Show

	Top specialty-equipment buyers from the Middle East and China will speak about their quickly growing markets at roundtable discussions to be held on Monday, October 29. Pre-registration is not required.
	Attend SEMA’s International Happy Hour on Wednesday, October 31, to network with international buyers and distributors as well as media from key overseas markets. Joe Sebergandio of Motor Media Inc. served as the master of ceremonies at the 2011 International Happy Hour. Here he interviews Stephen Humphris (left) of NSV Automotive, a Global Media Award winner.
	The Center for International Commerce contains complimentary private meeting space and interpreters to facilitate meetings between exhibitors and international buyers.
	Be sure to participate in the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase. Key International media will be selecting products from the showcase based on salability in their home markets as part of the Global Media Awards.

In a post-SEMA Show survey, exhibitors identified meeting potential new international customers and developing relationships with overseas buyers as an increasingly important goal. Exhibitors also felt that there was an increased international presence, with more global attendees at the 2011 SEMA Show than in the past several years—and they were correct! More than 25% of all buyers at the 2011 SEMA Show were from more than 100 nations outside the United States.

Facing a slowdown in sales at home, a number of SEMA members have successfully branched out and diversified their customer base. Selling overseas not only adds to the bottom line, but can also lead to product improvement and innovative ideas. Since the SEMA Show is the largest annual automotive specialty-equipment trade show in the world, it is possible to meet with buyers from more than 100 countries without leaving the United States.

SEMA is ready to assist exhibitors in making these connections. The association organizes programs that include two roundtable discussions on key developing markets; hosting the International Happy Hour, which is the largest annual global networking event in the industry; sponsoring an international panel of journalists to select new products with the largest global draw; and offering quiet onsite meeting space replete with complementary interpreters.

Seminars

This year, the SEMA Show will feature two international seminars that will take place on Monday, October 29, during Show week:

Sell Specialty-Equipment Products in China—the World’s Largest Emerging Automotive Market

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255
• Chinese distributors and SEMA members already successful in the region provide insider tips.

Opportunities for SEMA-Member Manufacturers in the Middle East

• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N255
• Learn how to cash in on this lucrative region.

International Happy Hour

More than 1,000 companies are expected at the 2012 SEMA International Happy Hour (IHH). The event provides an excellent opportunity to network with buyers and distributors from around the world. Top international media from key overseas markets will also be in attendance. Pre-registration for the IHH is complimentary but required. Register by visiting here.
.

Global Media Awards

The ninth annual Global Media Awards will once again be selected by a group of top automotive journalists from more than 20 countries who will each name 10 products from Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase that they think will most appeal to consumers in their home markets.

Winning companies receive a Global Media Award, which signifies the global appeal of their products, and are recognized at the IHH. To be considered, make sure your products are featured in Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase.

At last year’s SEMA Show, 257 Global Media Awards were distributed by the panel of leading international media after 1,850 new products were reviewed.

Center for International Commerce

Take advantage of the onsite SEMA Center for International Commerce (CIC). The CIC is staffed with a team of highly qualified interpreters to assist exhibitors in communicating with potential international customers.

Reserve a private meeting room with interpretation provided in key languages, including German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese. The CIC is located in room S224 of the Las Vegas Convention Center and is a valuable resource for SEMA Show exhibitors and international buyers.

We Export Signs

Welcome international buyers to your booth with a complimentary “We Export” sign. For information about obtaining a sign, exhibitors may contact Casey Kooiman at caseyk@SEMA.org. Provide your company name, contact information and booth number, and a sign will be delivered to your booth.

For more information on international programs at the SEMA Show or year-round, contact SEMA Director of International Relations Linda Spencer at lindas@SEMA.org