Google+ updates are better visuals and device consistency.

Just as we posted back in March, G5 knew 2013 would be a busy year for Google+.  A few weeks ago, Google+ launched a major redesign, offering its 390 million active users better visuals and standardized access across devices. Here’s what G5′s Digital Strategy team has uncovered about the social platform’s revamp:

Device standardization
Quoting a 2012 study, the Google+ Project blog explains people are constantly shifting between devices. They open an email on their phone and finish reading it on their computers. They hear about a new product on television and research it on their tablet.

To make the user experience more consistent across all devices, Google+ has harmonized its tablet and smartphone apps, as well as its web platform in the following ways:

• New multi-column layout: Depending on device screen size and orientation, users will see up to three columns of content. Users can now add hashtags to their posts, and Google will sort them in streams accordingly.
• Enhanced media: Following the footsteps of Facebook, Google+ is boosting image and video sizes to fill the widget of the stream.
• Animated features: Icons in the share box, menus and cards move and slide, prompting users to take action.

Improved Hangouts and photo options
Other major Google+ upgrades were made to Hangouts, which are now available as an independent app and feature more emoticons and archiving options.

Meanwhile, the network also now offers more photo editing tools and saving options, placing an even greater emphasis on the importance of high-quality visuals.

The Takeaway
Here’s what you should know about the updates:

• Context is key – These updates emphasize the need to produce relatable, relevant content. Only posts that matter to the user will appear in his or her stream.
• Visuals are vital – Shortly after announcing the overhaul, Google announced additional layout improvement to its mobile app, including new cover photos and larger tap targets. Social media is increasingly revolving around visual stimulation. Share more high-quality, unique and intriguing photos to succeed.
• The name of the game is discovery – Tag posts appropriately with the right hashtags to make content easy to find.

Brought to you by G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) in the property management sector.

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What you should know
As social media continues to play a role in how people interact with and conduct searches for your properties, it’s important to take advantage of all Facebook has to offer. Look into verifying your profile to boost the legitimacy and professionalism of your brand. Several key points you should be aware of are listed below.

• Verified pages boost social media’s legitimacy: Facebook’s move builds on Twitter’s account verification initiatives. As these social networks, along with Google+, play a larger role in the way people access information, these sites strive to boost their reputations as reliable, legitimate content providers. Since their creation, these sites have seen a slew of fake accounts posing as celebrities and businesses. These profiles have not only confused users, they’ve also sprouted identity security concerns.
• Improve your relationship with your audience: Facebook’s move is aimed at encouraging businesses to use the site as a public platform, and as more businesses do so, your potential customers will expect the same from you.
• Consistent activity is vital: However, if your brand’s profile is lacking or you fail to interact regularly with followers by posting and sharing photos, your page will be difficult to view as legitimate.

While Facebook stated it will notify page owners if their profiles become verified, some brands have been able to achieve a verified status by reaching out to the social network.

Brought to you by G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) software and services in the property management sector.

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Google launched Penguin 2.0.

Last week, Google Webspam team leader Matt Cutts revealed the search engine giant implemented a new algorithm update, Penguin 2.0. While G5′s Digital Strategy Team is still measuring the effects of the change, here’s what we know so far:

Understanding Penguin 2.0

“About 2.3 percent of English-U.S. queries are affected to the degree that a regular user might notice,” Cutts stated.

Penguin 2.0 is more intensive than its predecessor and is aimed specifically at eliminating black hat spam from search queries. Black hat spamming involves incorrectly presenting content to search engine crawlers and users by designing websites purely based on SEO criteria and delivering a poor user experience. Google didn’t start from scratch when it created Penguin 2.0. The search engine simply made its existing algorithm more robust and sophisticated.

Because the updated algorithm is targeting unethical SEO practices and spam, site owners who produce original, intriguing content that is relevant to their audience base can rest easy. Simply stated, G5 clients can rest easy.

Adapting to change

There’s no need to overhaul practices because of Penguin 2.0. Instead, focus on strengthening your current SEO strategy:

1. Opt for rich content: Articles, photos and videos that are original and interesting will improve and maintain page rank.
2. Monitor link value and acquisition frequency: While linking to a variety of sites is key, it’s important that these web addresses are relevant, authoritative and reputable. Links that come from spammy sites will hurt your pages. Additionally, Google monitors how often sites acquire links. This should be a gradual, organic process.
3. Get active on social media: Connecting with followers on Google+, Facebook and other platforms is key to driving them to your sites and boosting SEO.

Brought to you by G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) in the property management sector.

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Get up-to-speed on managing your communities’ online reputation

A few weeks ago Team G5 returned from the 2013 ALFA Conference & Expo in Charlotte. Each of us came back with a number of key takeaways, but there was one that was tops on our list: senior living online reputation management.

ALFA devoted two sessions to the topic, holding consecutive sessions on the opening day. The first session – which I attended – was standing room only, yet another indication of the hotness of this topic among conference attendees. An informal survey conducted by the co-presenters gave us a good visual presentation (aka, hand raises) of the reason for the popularity:

• Less than 10% of attendees are managing their online reviews
• Less than 5% of attendees are actively soliciting reviews from their residents/residents’ family members

Yikes.

Review sites are popping up all over in the senior sector; it’s only a matter of time
before community owners and operators will recognize the revenue lost because of a single bad review. The old adage “what you can’t see can hurt you” doesn’t apply here because you can see exactly what people are saying online about your communities.

A few actionable steps you can implement immediately:

1. Create an online review strategy and start listening/monitoring
2. Address any and all reviews associated with your communities and your brand – the good, the bad and the ugly. Readers will give you high marks for replying to a negative review – especially if you acknowledge the issue (own it) and state that you’ll be taking steps to remedy the situation (action). And keep in mind that positive reviews can counteract negative content; your advocates will defend your communities if they deem it’s warranted.
3. Solicit reviews. When? All the time, throughout the resident lifecycle. Obviously you’ll get better traction when you request reviews from the more technologically-savvy family members of residents, but reach out to your more active residents as well. Review solicitation should be a part of a holistic strategy – for SEO benefits, brand building and lead development.

For more information on this topic – including the importance of claiming your online social profiles and how to respond to reviews – download this free on-demand webinar, “Beyond Senior Living Ratings and Reviews – 5 Steps to Successfully Manage Your Online Reputation.”

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Find out how mobile is affecting Senior Housing leads and move-ins.

Last fall G5 conducted a survey of our senior housing clients with a mobile presence, and examined the role mobile is playing in driving senior housing leads and move-ins. Our findings were presented in December at the Advanced Sales & Marketing Summit for Seniors Housing, Assisted Living and Nursing Industries in Phoenix, and are now featured in our latest white paper, Can Mobile Drive More Leads and Move-Ins for Senior Housing?

Don’t want to give too much away, but the answer to this question is an emphatic YES. A few key takeaways from the data presented:

• Increasing usage of mobile devices to access the Internet means more traffic to your site from mobile
• If your website is optimized for mobile, that traffic generates more leads than desktop traffic
• Those leads convert at a higher rate than desktop leads, resulting in more move-ins
• Implementing a mobile strategy that delivers a seamless and consistent mobile experience on any device is critical to success

Download the white paper here, and learn why and how mobile is affecting the Senior Housing industry.

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Facebook launched a redesign of their mobile business pages.

Yelp is a top destination for users looking for business reviews as well as phone numbers, addresses and hours. Facebook wants that traffic, so last week it introduced a new mobile design that features details about local businesses, including star ratings and buttons to Like or Call. Facebook hosts 15 million local business Pages in addition to brand pages, with almost half of Facebook’s business, organization and public-figure Page visits now coming from mobile.

“A Page is a business’s identity on Facebook, so we’re making it easier for your current and potential customers to interact with your Page in a way that’s both efficient and useful,” the social network stated on its Facebook Studio page.

Updates aim to improve user experience

The new design surfaces useful information without the need for extra taps. Your property’s location, photos and hours are now front and center. Buttons to Like, Call and More (Share, Message, Copy Link, Report) are now right at the top. A zoomed-in map (by Google iOS) is shown so the user immediately can identify the cross streets and general location, with the address, distance, hours and price range just below it. There’s an average star rating and reviews from the user’s friends. And there’s a big button to add your own recommendation and a near full-screen, swipe-sideways album of photos.

Ensure your Page’s information is up to date to make the most of the new mobile design.

Brought to you by G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) software and services in the property management sector.

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Company News
• G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) software and services for the self storage industry, today announced that its client StorKwik has launched G5 One™ Responsive Design Websites for all of its properties, making it among the industry’s earliest adopters of this leading-edge web design technology.
• G5 One is a new responsive design platform that ensures client websites function flawlessly across multiple viewing devices—from mobile to desktop—without the need to build multiple sites.
• This announcement coincides with the opening day of the 2013 SSA Spring Conference and Trade Show in Philadelphia.

Market Perspective
• Based on current trends, mobile traffic will overtake traditional desktop traffic by 2014 (Gartner, March 2012).
• Google endorses responsive design as the recommended web design methodology, touting its SEO and usability benefits (Google Webmaster Blog, 2012).

G5 One™ Product Details
• Responsive Design – Delivers a single dynamic, fluid website that responds to the device being used, providing users with a consistent, exceptional experience at every digital touchpoint. Scalable design also maximizes monetary investment while increasing conversion rates.
• SEO Enhancement – Improves SEO through use of a single URL, reduced load time and Google crawling efficiency
• Usability – Improves usability by providing full website content in the same location, regardless of device

Commentary
• “We wanted our websites to be responsive because mobile is the future of the Web,” said Chelsea Headley, StorKwik’s SVP of Operations. “G5 One ensures that our website visitors have the same experience regardless of what device they’re using.”
• “The digital landscape is changing. More people are accessing the Web with a variety of devices,” said Dan Hobin, co-founder and CEO of G5. “We’re keeping our clients ahead of the game with the smartest web design in the self storage industry – combining brand-building design with SEO optimization and conversion rate optimization to drive superior results.”

About G5
G5 is the leading provider of Digital Experience Management® (DXM®) software and services in the self storage industry. The G5 DXM Platform enables owners and operators to deliver exceptional experiences at every digital touchpoint – turning tenants into brand advocates. As brand advocacy grows, so does demand – allowing facilities to raise rents and revenue without adversely affecting occupancy. Founded in 2005, G5 was recently named one of the fastest growing private US companies by Inc. Magazine (3rd consecutive year), one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies by Deloitte (3rd consecutive year), and one of Oregon’s fastest growing private companies by Portland Business Journal (3rd consecutive year). The Bend, Oregon-based company is backed by private equity investor Volition Capital. For more information, please visit GetG5.com or follow our blog at GetG5.com/blog.

Media Contact:
Amy Trenz
541.306.6321
amy.trenz@GetG5.com

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Digital Marketing Leader Brings Home More Gold

News
• G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management (DXM) software and services for the property management sector, was awarded “Best Website Design Service” honors by Inside Self-Storage (ISS).
• This was the first year that website design was a featured category in the “Best of Business” Awards.
• Over 4,000 properties – representing over 1 million units from the Multifamily Housing, Self Storage, Senior Living and Student Housing industries – leverage G5’s “best website design” as part of the G5 DXM Platform.
• The G5 DXM Platform includes products and services that enable properties to create, deliver, measure and optimize exceptional experiences at every digital touchpoint. Products can be used independently or as a single solution.
• The award was presented on April 4 at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas.

Inside Self-Storage “Best of Business” Awards
• The reader-choice poll, launched in 2011, solicits online votes from industry professionals.
• Winners were selected across 30 categories, including architectural services, management software and technology innovation.

Commentary
• “It’s an honor to be recognized,” said Dan Hobin, co-founder and CEO of G5. “We pride ourselves on delivering the smartest web design in the property management industry – combining SEO optimization, brand-building design and conversion rate optimization to drive superior results for our clients.”

About G5
G5 is the leading provider of Digital Experience Management (DXM) software and services in the property management sector. The G5 DXM Platform enables owners and operators to deliver exceptional experiences at every digital touchpoint – turning customers into brand advocates. As brand advocacy grows, so does demand – allowing properties to raise rents and revenue without adversely affecting occupancy.

Founded in 2005, G5 was recently named one of the fastest growing private US companies by Inc. Magazine (3rd consecutive year), one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies by Deloitte (3rd consecutive year), and one of Oregon’s fastest growing private companies by Portland Business Journal (3rd consecutive year). The Bend, Oregon-based company is backed by private equity investor Volition Capital. For more information, please visit GetG5.com or follow our blog at GetG5.com/blog.

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Media Contact:
G5
Amy Foster Trenz
541.306.6321
Amy.trenz@GetG5.com

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News

• G5, the leading provider of Digital Experience Management (DXM) software and services for the self storage industry, today announced the G5 Partner Program. The company also announced the first members of the program.
• The program was developed to bring together the self storage industry’s leaders in marketing and technology to facilitate technical advancement and competitive advantage for their collective client base.
• The program features cross-promotional marketing campaigns including joint webinars, co-sponsorships and co-hosted events, priority access to the G5 developer community, and G5 training and enhanced support.
• This announcement coincides with today’s opening of the Inside Self-Storage World Expo at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas.

Partner Program Initial Members

• Centershift (www.centershift.com) – Centershift is the fastest growing internet based rental management and point-of-sale software solution provider in the self storage industry.
• SiteLink (www.sitelink.com) – SiteLink Web Edition is one of the most popular software programs in the self storage industry with powerful features like revenue management, built-in CRM, email and text messaging.
• E-SoftSys Self Storage Manager (www.selfstoragemanager.com) – An E-SoftSys product, Self Storage Manager is a comprehensive management software for single and multi-facility operators.

Commentary

• “Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, and this program will bring together the industry’s leaders to accelerate time-to-market,” said Dan Hobin, co-founder and CEO of G5. “We’re excited to grow the program to benefit our clients and partners.”
• “Our partnership with G5 has provided us with a tight system integration that provides tremendous value to our self storage customers,” said Kat Shenoy, president & CEO of E-SoftSys. “They can spend less time evaluating marketing campaigns and more time developing, refining, and executing them.”
• “We are excited about the growing partnership with G5,” said Markus Hecker, COO at SiteLink. “This relationship provides seamless integration that allows customers to capture and convert more leads to rentals.”

To learn more about the G5 Partner Program, please contact Heather Amey at heather.amey@getg5.com or at 541.728.0229.

About G5

G5 is the leading provider of Digital Experience Management (DXM) software and services in the Self Storage industry. The G5 DXM Platform enables owners and operators to deliver exceptional experiences at every digital touchpoint – turning tenants into brand advocates. As brand advocacy grows, so does demand– allowing properties to raise rents and revenue without adversely affecting occupancy.

Founded in 2005, G5 was recently named one of the fastest growing private US companies by Inc. Magazine (3rd consecutive year), one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies by Deloitte (3rd consecutive year), and one of Oregon’s fastest growing private companies by Portland Business Journal (.3rd consecutive year).The Bend, Oregon-based company is backed by private equity investor Volition Capital. For more information, please visit GetG5.com or follow our blog at GetG5.com/blog.

About Centershift

Centershift is a complete software solution provider to the self storage industry. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Centershift is the fastest growing internet-based rental management and point-of-sale software solution provider in the industry. Their clients include two of the four largest self storage REITs, as well as many other small, medium and large ownership and management organizations. Centershift’s Store Enterprise and Advantage applications were designed specifically for seamless integration with websites, call centers, web aggregators, iPhones, centralized mail services, corporate offices and other business systems. Centershift’s primary goal is to help self storage operators increase revenue, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. For more information, please visit http://www.centershift.com or call (877) 927-4438.
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About E-SoftSys

E-SoftSys, a Member of the Microsoft Partner Network, is a technology leader for the self-storage industry, with products and services that include:

• Self Storage Manager – Comprehensive management software for single and multi-facility operators
• e-CRM – Fully integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module, designed specifically for the self-storage industry and multi-facility operators, with interfaces to leading phone systems, call center systems, etc. e-CRM is currently being used by several large operators with a combined total of 900 plus sites in USA and Canada.
• Other Modules – INSOMNIACTM Kiosk Interface, Online Reservations, Rentals & Payments, QlikViewTM Business Intelligence and Analytics Interface, Mobile Websites, Customer Portal, XPS, G5 Integration, iPadTM/Tablet-based Site Walk Through and Audit module, and more.
• 24×7 Customer Support – 24×7 Customer Support, with Dedicated Team and Project Manager assigned for large operator implementations, as well as annual upgrades to software programs.
• Training Videos – In addition to the free training that is provided by our implementation and support team, over 300 Training Videos are available to customers, where a customer can choose any function or report in Self Storage Manager or e-CRM and get instant training on that topic. We also collaborate with our customers to create customer specific training videos, when required.

About SiteLink

With more than 6,500 installations worldwide, SiteLink Web Edition is one of the industry’s most popular software programs. Quality service, updates and user-friendly design make Web Edition a favorite of single- and multi-store operators alike. More than 70 of top 100 operators run Web Edition today. Regular, automatic updates deliver integrations with partners like RPOST, Late 2 Lien and DocuSign. Web Edition is highly scalable and easy to deploy. SiteLink does not bundle services and lowers operating costs by giving owners a choice in partners like web designers and credit card processors. At no additional charge, Web Edition integrates with platforms like smart phones, websites, listing services, INSOMNIAC KIOSKS and central mail providers. Powerful features like revenue management, built-in CRM, email and text messaging grow revenue and lower the cost of owning software.

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Media Contact:
G5
Al Arceo
541.241.2934
albert.arceo@GetG5.com

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Google Panda Update #25: Any effect on Property Websites?

For those of you overseeing property websites, another Panda update rolled out earlier this month. The twenty-fifth update for Google’s Panda is probably the last time Google announces a unique Panda update; future updates will be rolled into the algorithm updates regularly made by Google’s search engineers.

This event is, actually, a non-event. When Panda arrived on the SEO scene in February 2011, it was meant to tackle spam sites and downrank firms using “blackhat SEO,” a term used to identify those sites using duplicate or stolen content. Since then Google has continued tweaking the algorithms in Panda. If your site has unique content, you shouldn’t notice any differences to your SEO numbers.

While this recent update appears to be a blip on the Search Engine Optimization scene, it does prompt a terrific opportunity to review your site’s content. Are all links operational? Are there any duplicate pages? Is your site shared socially?

To learn about other recent Google changes and how to optimize your web presence, read G5’s white paper, Keeping Up With Google: How to Get Found as the Search Giant Evolves. Click here to download.

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