Optimization of Personal Online Profile E-Commerce Module - Assignment Example

Optimisation of Personal Online Profile e-Commerce Module August Contents Introduction 3 Background 3 Industry Analysis 4 Competitor Analysis5 SWOT Analysis 5 Strengths 6 Weaknesses 6 Opportunities 6 Threats 7 Critical Success Factors 7 Keyword Search 8 Keyword Optimisation 9 Reason for Using Keywords 10 Plan for the Promotion of Personal Portfolio 11 Social Media Positioning 12 Cross Linking 13 Timeline/Gantt Chart 13 Risk Assessment 14 Practical Plan 15 Website 15 Facebook 15 Twitter 16 LinkedIn 16 Bibliography 18 Appendix 1 19 Core Skill Requirements 19 Appendix 2 20 Role of the Information Architect 20 Introduction The Internet provides access to information for billions of people around the world. Everyone in the most remote corner of the world can visit websites and see information about anyone through search engines online (Young & Abreu, 2010). Information about people from all backgrounds is available online and this can also be used for accessing job opportunities and presenting a corporate profile of individuals and organisations. It is therefore important for people to establish online professional identity and this can enable people to communicate and exchange information about their career interests and professional plans and competencies. This report will examine how the writer can improve his online profile through this project titled “MyProfile”. The report will identify the main metrics and indicators that can be used to promote accessibility online and easy identification of the writer’s profile. As a website designing personnel and information architect, the report will focus on things that can be done to promote contacts with interest parties like employers, web design service seekers. This will cover the methods of showcasing my profile and portfolio through search engine optimisation (SEO), social media and other search engine ratings and rankings that can favourably dispose my personal profile to the right persons. Background As a website designer and information architect, I seek to get a permanent job placement that will enable me to conduct website design and management services as well as third party consultancy services to clients via a recognised entity. Therefore, I will need to get all my online web resources including my website to function in a way and manner that will position me in a positive and competitive light. In line with this, I will need to conduct an environmental analysis that will examine the main variables of the industry and provide a critical analysis of key stakeholders in the industry as well as competitors in order to draw a conclusion on how to position my online resources. This is the essence of MyProfile, which will bring together the best principles and ideas in order to position my information in an optimal manner. Industry Analysis The World Wide Web is the largest computer network in the world and since its inception in the 1980s, the Internet has been a growing convergence point for communication by people from all kinds of backgrounds around the world (Morley & Parker, 2014; Parsons & Oja, 2012). Websites are seen as a cheaper alternative to real estate and they are a convenient means of sharing information to people in all parts of the world (Parsons & Oja, 2012). There are a different programs and systems that can be employed to create websites and this requires a different set of skills and competencies by the average website designer. Potential employers and customers have different skills they need in website development. Therefore, there is the need for a person to match job descriptions with their qualifications, skills and experiences online. This is because potential employers interested in hiring web designers have their own requirements and descriptions. Therefore, it is important for this report to respond to what employers want in the area of searches. This industrial analysis will examine traces for what IT firms, companies, software developers and web design companies want. And the study is done by using popular search engine platforms to search for options and processes. A preliminary search through search engine, Google identified that most firms seeking website designers require relevant IT degrees, or qualifications in relevant areas like a BSc in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. They also want other skills and competencies that include among others, artistic awareness, innovativeness, critical analysis, programming skills, multimedia skills, familiarity with web user interfaces and corporate/business management awareness. The requirements for a web design professional are presented in Appendix 1 below. Competitor Analysis The web design industry is diverse and there is a wide range of companies that specialise in web designing. In almost every country, there are large entities that focus on multimillion Pound projects which have complex connotations. There are also medium sized firms that focus on relatively smaller projects whilst there are micro businesses ran by one or two partners. For the purpose of this assignment, the focus will be on targeting large world-class entities like Big Drop Inc, Blue Fountain Media and MaxBurst. These are major entities that focus on large world-class clients and concentrate on meeting their online representation, competitive profiling and other things. Most of these firms are based in the United States, but there are large and respectable firms in the UK that have equally good prospect. There is also another genre of website building entities that provide far-reaching services like Wix, Weebly and Godaddy that can be good places to work to develop my competency. The motive for this is to position my personal portfolio in a way and manner that these top-notch web designing entities will be interested in finding my portfolio and also hiring me in a temporary or permanent position. SWOT Analysis In order to maximise my chances of getting the best exposure and possibility of getting located and employed, I will conduct an objective analysis and review of my strengths and weaknesses in order to optimise and streamline my portfolio for optimal results. Strengths I studied Information Technology at the degree level for three years. Hence, I have theoretical knowledge and understanding about information technology and its business dynamics as well as the technical competencies and capabilities. Personally, I have studied a lot of programming techniques which are applicable to the web setting including HTML which is vital in almost all web designing organisational settings. I have applied it in various settings and have been involved in the creation of several websites that I can attest to. I have also gotten some good design skills as an information architect and this can add up to my competitive skills and competencies. Finally, I have a strong knowledge and understanding of business competitiveness and this can be an asset to any organisation that might hire me. Weaknesses My weakness lies in the fact that all my working life has been spent in the family business context. Due to that, I do not have an objective basis of assessment and some organisations might doubt my references as being biased. Secondly, I have limited experience in conducting competitive business and working in the real world. Finally, my online portfolio is not going to be financed by any external source, hence, there might be some limitation in the professionalism that it might exhibit. Opportunities The main opportunity I have include the fact that all my skills can be used positively by a web designing organisation that might hire me. My degree will add up to the human resource pool in the organisation and this might be an avenue for the improved performance of firms. Also, the multi-skilled portfolio I have is one that will help me to attain results in every organisation. Hence, it can be highlighted and provide a positive image of me as a web designer. Threats Some firms might doubt it if I highlight my competency as a person who worked for a family business. This is because there is no competitive experience I can show for all my years of experience. Finally, there lack of funds will mean that other designers can get improved and enhanced portfolio whilst I will be limited to a lower category of social media sites that might not be favourable. Critical Success Factors This section will discuss the main issues and matters that are important and relevant in the life of a web designer and will influence the competitive terrain for me and other stakeholders in the industry. Entity Description Contribution World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Organisation This organisation linked to MIT provides standards and rules on how web engineering occur and how it must be change. Connection to this organisation will ensure regular updates on changes to the web design terrain Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers Organisation This is a large and authoritative entity that merges aspects of electronics into the IT industry and institution. This is important to guide me on changes in other related fields. Internet Engineering Task Force Organisation This is a persuasive entity that develops standards that are voluntarily adopted. They put in place issues and emerging matters that are important for the development of my skills and competencies and will be important and vital for my development. HTML Writers Guild Professional Group This group provides training on emergent issues and matters and will be important in providing refresher training and other trainings on emerging matters. Association of Web Design Professionals (AWDP) Professional Group This is a network that will help to provide important updates and information for my professional development. Bureau of European Design Associations Facebook Group This Facebook group helps to provide updates that can cause possible leads in the industry. Interactive Design Association LinkedIn Group IDA helps to mobilise web designers and gives room for contacts. Keyword Search “The effective use of keywords and search engine optimisation is crucial to online job hunt.” (Smith, 2010, p. 161). The keywords are important to ensure that various industry employers can easily locate a given online portfolio through the entry of important words that are likely to be checked by interested persons in the industry (Watkins & Corry, 2013). The following extract from my account indicates the following pointers and statistics about different websites that are searched and studied. Ad group Keyword Currency Avg. Monthly Searches (exact match only) Competition Suggested bid Impr. share In account? In plan? Site Design web site design GBP 3600 0.94 7.41 0 N N Company Web web design company GBP 22200 0.8 5.14 0 N N Site Design site web design GBP 1300 0.87 1.85 0 N N Company Web web design companies GBP 3600 0.81 8.38 0 N N Company Web web development company GBP 12100 0.72 2.88 0 N N Page Design web page design GBP 14800 0.87 4.57 0 N N Design Best best web design GBP 9900 0.43 2.94 0 N N Design Software graphic design software GBP 18100 0.93 2.02 0 N N Free Design free website design GBP 5400 0.93 4.15 0 N N Graphic Design graphic design GBP 201000 0.62 3.9 0 N N Design Tutorials web design tutorial GBP 6600 0.45 0.97 0 N N Graphic Design graphic designer GBP 40500 0.6 2.96 0 N N Web Development web developer GBP 40500 0.6 5.49 0 N N Build A Website build a website GBP 12100 0.97 9.08 0 N N Architect Jobs architect jobs GBP 2900 0.38 1.11 0 N N Website Development website development GBP 14800 0.9 4.46 0 N N Website Design website design GBP 90500 0.94 6.37 0 N N Architect architect software GBP 1900 0.84 1.66 0 N N Architecture website architecture GBP 1300 0.15 4.08 0 N N Figure 1: Extract of Best Keywords and Properties Keyword Optimisation In order to conduct a proper and thorough presentation of keywords and use them to attain maximum exposure, there will be the need to define primary and secondary keywords that will be utilised in promoting and enhancing the online search system. My name, Abdullah Mohammed Assiri will form the primary keyword and this will be used to provide linkages and connections to potential employers who might surf the Internet. The secondary keywords will include “web designer” and “information architect” which are seen to be strongly linked and connected to the keyword properties in the figure above. This includes important pointers and ideas that will link my profile to specific matters relating to my skills set. Reason for Using Keywords Fundamentally, they key word makes it practical and accurate for employers to easily locate me by name. The surname Assiri is unique and this will mean that anyone who sees my profile will easily find a way of finding my pages online through a simple search engine check. The same name and surname is consistently used in other social media networks and this implies that any rapport I establish in any way can be easily tracked online through the specific official name I use. The uniqueness and distinction of my name and its related accounts and matters implies that my SERP is guaranteed to be high. Additionally, I have the opportunity to improve my SERP through the use of Search Engine Optimisation which can help me to increase my ratings on the search engine sites and processes. The secondary keywords are mainly important by way of positioning and linkage. This is because as a professional in a unique niche, the use of secondary keywords can enable me to be easily located by keywords that will connect me to my niche of professional competence. Web design in the site design category is searched 3,600 times a month and it has a competition rate of 0.94. This has a recommended bid price of £7.41. This will come at a cost but will provide the opportunity to improve my standings and advertise me to a small niche of people who might want to use my services. In terms of independent service provision, the phrase “web design company” is searched 22,200 times and this came at a cost of £5.14 at a probability of 0.8. Through this, I can advertise my services independently and get a good chance of optimising my reach through the payment of money to get hired independently by firms that might want independent contractors. This gives me a better chance of combining the top 20 approaches in order to come up with a sponsorship plan that can be utilised to promote my portfolio including the secondary words. This will give me the best chances of beating the competition by other persons who might want to present their online employment portfolios. Plan for the Promotion of Personal Portfolio With the identification of the right components and issues to focus on, I will be able to use this project to showcase my skills and competencies and also provide a website location that can be easily used to create leverage for the attainment of results. The plan is to create an interlinked profile that can be improved through enhanced SERP on mainstream and popular online search engines and systems like Google. This will include a social media and online system as well as keyword plan that will improve the exposure of the page to SEO checks. Social media is important and vital in complementing an optimally ranked website and this can promote contact and linkage. In this project, I will use LinkedIn, Facebook, WordPress (Blogging) and other career groupings which can assist in the promotion of my profile. Also, tools like Google Analytics can help to monitor and improve the search engine optimisation process. The main ends that will be sought include exposure, recognisability and professionalism in the process. In this process, success will be measured through the target of attaining a place in the top 5 of the Google SERP chart for relevant fields by the end of December, 2014. Social Media Positioning Facebook has over 1 billion users and this include subscribers from different parts of the world who are converted to mass communicators through the creation of networks on the site (Rosenberg, 2013). Many employers are now using Facebook to conduct preliminary checks about the real identity of people before they hire them (Ray, 2013). Therefore, I intend to create and account WordPress.com is website that allows people to share their ideas and views through blogging. As an IT professional and web design professional, I can explain my views and ideas of the industry through my Word Press account, linked to my personal domain name, abdullahassiri.net. This will enable me to share my thoughts and competencies in a proactive and positive manner. LinkedIn is also important for sharing professional information and professional matters online. This will enable me to share professional information and my technical abilities online. Twitter is also an important website for sharing live updates that can be used to judge my competency. Google Plus is also important to help me to complement my advertising and provide important information about the issues necessary to be handled. Klout is also necessary to automatically replicate information symbiotically between Facebook and Twitter. Cross Linking Timeline/Gantt Chart Profile Task 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Market/Environmental Evaluation Formulate E-Commerce Strategy Define Objectives Define Keyword Search Draw Social Media Strategy Define Key Performance Indicators Develop online profile, website and integrate into social media Conduct Online Implementation Conduct Offline Implementation Preliminary Evaluation of Results Modify Digital Profile Monitor Project Risk Assessment Risk Type Probability Impact on Project Priority Levels (Probability X Impact) Mitigation Spam from third parties (eg marketers) 4 2 12 The use of spam filters in emails and social media sites that are to be used Data Security and Theft of Info 3 4 12 The use of various disclaimers and threats of legal action against people who abuse and misuse information from the site Legal Liability 5 5 25 Seek legal advice and evaluate laws relating to data protection and requirements for disclosures in job searches. Treatment of Data with Contempt 5 3 15 Restructure the social media sites and ensure that they show formal and semi-formal information Credibility of Website 5 2 10 Ensure that information is given in a formal manner. Failure of Keyword Yields 3 3 9 Use a proactive system to review and analyse information. Spam Blacklist of Google 4 4 16 Ensure that all data and spamming requirements are met. Prediction Failures 5 3 15 Use a proactive approach to check results from time to time. *Risks are classified from 1 to 5. 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest. Practical Plan Website Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Bibliography Morley, D., & Parker, C. (2014). Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, Comprehensive. Mason, OH: Cengage. Parsons, J. J., & Oja, D. (2012). New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2013. Mason, Oh: Cengage. Ray, R. (2013). The Facebook Guide to Small Business Marketing. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Rosenberg, M. (2013). Business Advantage Intermediate Personal Study Guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Smith, R. (2010). Electronic Resumes and Online Networking. London: Career Press. Watkins, R., & Corry, M. (2013). E-Learning Companion: Students Guide to Online Success. Mason, OH: Cengage. Young, K. S., & Abreu, C. (2010). Internet Addiction. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Appendix 1 Core Skill Requirements Appendix 2 Role of the Information Architect Read More