Internet Adverts... 99% of the time, pointless.

I seen a comment today about Internet adverts that appear on blogs, facebook, social medias, or other websites with self generating adverts. You know, those sometimes little square adds on the side of a blog, or the Google adverts on the side/bottom of the website? Yeah. Those ones.

The comment was something to the effect of:

"How and why do the know and advertise things that I have already searched/paid for?!"

It is very annoying and sometimes quite intriguing. How do they know!? Why are they advertising now after Ive finished browsing for <insert desired item/service here>. Well, quite simply, whenever you browse the Internet, you are requesting information about a specific location, downloading that information, then your preferred Internet Browser then presents this information.

So when you add something to a basket, fill in a form/username/password, this information can be saved and stored on you computer in the form of a "Cookie". The information that is saved is purely dependent on your preferences. Such as, "do you want (x) to save your password for next time?"

What is a Cookie?

According to TechTarget, a cookie is:

"A cookie is information that a Web site puts on your hard disk so that it can remember something about you at a later time. (More technically, it is information for future use that is stored by the server on the clientside of a client/servercommunication.) Typically, a cookie records your preferences."

So what can you do about these little bits of information that are saved on your computer, then recalled at an appropriate time when on the Internet? Well, I suppose you can "eat" them?

Ok, so how do you "eat" them?

There are a number of processed you can do or utility programs that can be used to eradicate unwanted downloaded information.

1.Delete you Internet History, including deleting all cookies, stored databases, passwords and preferences

2. Dowloand CCleaner or Glary Utilities - These utility programs are great for getting this job done. There are free for the standard versions (which will suffice).

3. Be sure to keep these utility programs up-to-date, along with your OS and your anti-virus software.

You will find that these adverts wont be connected to your browsing habits from now on, although the longer you browse, the more you download. the more you download, the more that is stored about you. So after a while, the adverts will appear. When they do... repeat above!

Good luck!

Cavtec Systems Limited



Cavtec Systems Limited, established 1991. Providing the finest quality computer support and additional services to Small Medium Enterprises and Home users. Newcastle upon Tyne, London and East Grinstead.
http://www.cavtec.co.uk
admin@cavtec.co.uk

Summer and Social Media

So, today down in here in East Grinstead, the weather is ridiculously hot! Borderline unbearable! Still the work needed to get done. I managed to get along to our weekly business networking meeting at the Dorset Arms, where a number of business owners/employees meet, chat, discuss ideas, get advice, etc...


Today was no different, although I did ask one or two questions for my own gain. Usually I try to answer or input as much as I can, but this time I though I'd pick the brains of East Grinsteads finest!


What was my topic of concern? Local advertising and the better/more effective use of social media. Can you help?


We're trying to increase the footfall to the business, both online and in person? What to do? Let me tell you where we're at in both locations:


Newcastle


We are pretty long established here, 20 years in fact. Word of mouth works best here as we have quite the extensive loyal customer-base. Yellow-pages work really well here. A lot of people in the North East seem to use that. As far as social media goes, or using Google adwords for that matter, we dont. Yet.


East Grinstead/London


We have only just open shop here recently. Things have moved slowly, but forward. Thousands of leaflets have been distributed, signs carried through the town centre, adverts placed in the local ad-mag, countless business networking meetings have been attended, for what? Very little in return.


We are toying with the idea of Google adwords down here. What do you think? What is your experience if any?


What about Facebook? Blog? Twitter?


Really, the whole of the South East is in this catchment area, but more realistically, Lingfield, Crawley, Lewes, Brighton, Haywards Heath, basically East and West Sussex.


Whats the secret to good local advertising? Can you help? Do you know the secret recipe? Let us know your thoughts! You know the drill.


East Grinstead:
9am to 5pm: 01342 778604
5pm to 10pm: 07401477512


Newcastle upon Tyne:
9am to 5pm: 0191 2861980


We can let this fantastic weather, scorching temperatures and the likes go to waste!


Thanks!

Cavtec Systems Limited

Cavtec Systems Limited, established 1991. Providing the finest quality computer support and additional services to Small Medium Enterprises and Home users. Newcastle upon Tyne, London and East Grinstead.

http://www.cavtec.co.uk

admin@cavtec.co.uk