Congress has enabled the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish rules designed to keep Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from barring content and applications of rival providers in their service areas.
One of the issues at debate is whether government regulation will help or hurt the industry.
Proponents of government rule-making in the industry argue that large telecommunications companies currently have monopolies in the areas they provide service. Laws that would force them to allow competitors to use their broadband networks would bring in competition and innovation by offering alternatives services than those offered by the area's major ISP, they argue.
Those opposed to regulation argue that government involvement in the market will thwart market forces, hurting industry's ability to stay competitive and benefit from innovation through free market enterprise.
One opponent is Arizona Sentator John McCain. Soon after the FCC's intentions were announced, Senator McCain introduced legislation, called the Internet Freedom Act, in effort to stop the FCC from putting rules into effect.
If rules are made and enforced, this could mean changes to the quality and price of Internet service as well as the availability of alternative services currently being blocked by large telecommunications companies. The Atlantic's Daniel Indiviglio asked whether these rules, which many say are geared toward “network neutrality” might lead to usage-based fees rather than the flat rate currently charged by ISPs.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
FTC Requires More Disclosure for Websites
PROVO—Ever vigilant in its mission to “prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on October 5 clarified interpretations of the Federal Trade Commission Act (read the Law) aimed at persuading website owners and advertisers—at the risk of a potential lawsuit—to provide disclosure about material relationships and to clearly identify non-typical advertised results from using products (see FTC Press Release).
For business owners who manage websites and other advertising mediums, the new guidelines serve as a wake-up call to provide legitimate, quality products and services instead of peddling false hope and ill-founded expectations. Otherwise, they may find themselves facing sanctions or lawsuits.
Bloggers Beware
To explain, if a blogger is given cash or free products in return for writing a blog endorsement, the specifics of that relationship now must be disclosed by the website owner and the blogger. Through this clarification of guidelines, consumers are better protected from falling into traps where they might not expect such a relationship to exist, and would otherwise place unwarranted trust on a claim that is insincere. Traditional journalists have long upheld the standard of returning or otherwise refusing gifts, but web writers or bloggers have not lived up to, or been held liable to, the same standard. These new guidelines help level the playing field.
Product Claims
Additionally, with the new guidelines in place, advertisers who play up unusual or atypical results of using a product—when the majority of people using it wouldn't experience the same result—must now clearly identify what the “norm” is. Thus, consumer expectations cannot be as easily manipulated to facilitate or encourage the sale of a product that will eventually disappoint.
Celebrity Endorsements
Finally, both advertisers and celebrities must now disclose material relationships and both may be liable for false or unsubstantiated claims should a lawsuit materialize. Thus, celebrities now have a duty to disclose relationships when they discuss products on talks shows or other publicly viewed mediums like social networking sites or blogs.
For business owners who manage websites and other advertising mediums, the new guidelines serve as a wake-up call to provide legitimate, quality products and services instead of peddling false hope and ill-founded expectations. Otherwise, they may find themselves facing sanctions or lawsuits.
Bloggers Beware
To explain, if a blogger is given cash or free products in return for writing a blog endorsement, the specifics of that relationship now must be disclosed by the website owner and the blogger. Through this clarification of guidelines, consumers are better protected from falling into traps where they might not expect such a relationship to exist, and would otherwise place unwarranted trust on a claim that is insincere. Traditional journalists have long upheld the standard of returning or otherwise refusing gifts, but web writers or bloggers have not lived up to, or been held liable to, the same standard. These new guidelines help level the playing field.
Product Claims
Additionally, with the new guidelines in place, advertisers who play up unusual or atypical results of using a product—when the majority of people using it wouldn't experience the same result—must now clearly identify what the “norm” is. Thus, consumer expectations cannot be as easily manipulated to facilitate or encourage the sale of a product that will eventually disappoint.
Celebrity Endorsements
Finally, both advertisers and celebrities must now disclose material relationships and both may be liable for false or unsubstantiated claims should a lawsuit materialize. Thus, celebrities now have a duty to disclose relationships when they discuss products on talks shows or other publicly viewed mediums like social networking sites or blogs.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Introducing HIT Counter Advanced
“Going live” with your website is a huge milestone, but it is only the first step in taking your business online. As with any new business venture, regular assessment is critical. By gaging how customers are using your site, you can work out the kinks and optimize your marketing effectiveness.
HIT Counter, a powerful new product offered by HIT Web Design, can become your resource to understanding and adapting to your customers. This feature does not just count how many visits your site has had, it also provides a wealth of statistics and data all about your visitors.
What It Can Do for You
The HIT Counter creates an array of custom reports—such as where visitors are going on your site, where they are located, how they used search engines to find your site—providing it all in a user-friendly, easy-access format.
HIT Counter can be a key tool to capitalize on strengths and evaluate weaknesses on your site. For example, the HIT Counter map shows where each visitor is located, allowing you to determine where best to devote your marketing resources.
You can also find out exactly what key words visitors are typing into search engines to find your site. This can help you adjust your own content to increase your search engine optimization and bring in more traffic. You also have the ability to track movements of users to learn what areas of your site are more popular and if navigation problems exist. You can learn how long visitors stays in one area, giving you an idea of how effectively your content is drawing them in.
Additionally, HIT Counter tells you what Internet browsers your visitors are using and what operating systems they are using. This can be a fruitful source of information to determine how best to maximize functionality and the convenience your visitors experience.
A Tool for the Long Term
Making a website a productive business tool is not an event—it is a process that requires evaluation and adjustments long after the site is created. A website begins as a blunt instrument, and HIT Counter can help you sharpen it until it becomes an effective and profitable business portal.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
HIT Counter, a powerful new product offered by HIT Web Design, can become your resource to understanding and adapting to your customers. This feature does not just count how many visits your site has had, it also provides a wealth of statistics and data all about your visitors.
What It Can Do for You
The HIT Counter creates an array of custom reports—such as where visitors are going on your site, where they are located, how they used search engines to find your site—providing it all in a user-friendly, easy-access format.
HIT Counter can be a key tool to capitalize on strengths and evaluate weaknesses on your site. For example, the HIT Counter map shows where each visitor is located, allowing you to determine where best to devote your marketing resources.
You can also find out exactly what key words visitors are typing into search engines to find your site. This can help you adjust your own content to increase your search engine optimization and bring in more traffic. You also have the ability to track movements of users to learn what areas of your site are more popular and if navigation problems exist. You can learn how long visitors stays in one area, giving you an idea of how effectively your content is drawing them in.
Additionally, HIT Counter tells you what Internet browsers your visitors are using and what operating systems they are using. This can be a fruitful source of information to determine how best to maximize functionality and the convenience your visitors experience.
A Tool for the Long Term
Making a website a productive business tool is not an event—it is a process that requires evaluation and adjustments long after the site is created. A website begins as a blunt instrument, and HIT Counter can help you sharpen it until it becomes an effective and profitable business portal.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
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