Problem: Using Amazon’s S3 Management Console only allows uploading of files into previously created files and folders. Amazon does offer an “Enhanced Uploader (BETA)”, but after attempting to install it on my Mac the darn thing was taking too long.

Solution: Use the s3cmd : command line tool

You will need to download and install from the above link. Once you have it installed on your Mac, the rest is very simple:

1. Run the command s3cmd --configure
2. Enter your S3 Access Key, Secret Key (*see note)
3. Once configured, you can list your available buckets s3cmd ls
4. Create a new bucket s3cmd mb s3://my-new-bucket
5. Add files to your bucket s3cmd put /my-directory/*.png s3://my-new-bucket
6. But the best for last … s3cmd put my-directory --recursive

Thank you for visiting my short & sweet tut on Amazon S3 and the command line.

Note: These are the minimum settings with no data encryption. To use data encryption and a https connection you will need to set up GPG (GNU Privacy Guard)

Use a 301 redirect to get your website’s visitors to your Google Plus Page

And here’s a novel concept…do a 301 redirect in your .htaccess file on your domain. So when you go to your website and add a “+” after it, it will go directly to your G+ page(profile). yourdomain.com/+

In the first line of your .htaccess put this line and change out replace the user id(page id) with yours.

Redirect 301 /+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/107957636452972318374/

In this case, going to my website with a + http://trimarkassociates.com/+ lands you on my Google Plus Profile Page. But the same holds true for a business page on G+

There are 3 critical mistakes businesses make online. The typical evolution of online starts with:

1 Creating a website 2 Promoting a website – online via directories 3 Driving traffic with AdWords

All the while cross their fingers with anticipation of new found customers and clients. It’s become a constant game of playing catch-up to succeed with first page listings on the search engines. In this world of rapid technology development, efforts made to market one’s business fail. The primary factors are:

• Lackluster economy
• Increased competition
• Failure to adapt

And, the reasons why business online marketing efforts struggle?

Maintain • Market • Engage

#1 Failure to Maintain a steady stream of quality, relevant and engaging content on their websites.

Those that do, are rewarded with increased visibility and depth.

Simply put, increased competition and a more intelligent consumer base requires a consistent flow of new information and content. With more companies focusing their marketing dollars to online endeavors, it’s becoming more and more difficult to succeed. Success is measured by the search engines displaying your website at the top of their results.

The second factor effecting website visibility is technology. Smart phones and tablets along with increased percentages of consumers transitioning from desktops to mobile devices. A highly respected online research company, Gartner, predicts that in the US by the year 2013, there will be more people accessing the internet from mobile devices than desktops. – Gartner Research

Failure to maintain your website with content and technology is critical.

#2 Failure to Market

The biggest factor in marketing you website is content. Just as important is providing your content to other relevant websites. You do this by:

• Having your website linked in appropriate directories
• Providing online coupons and specials
• Listing your website on all company materials
• Providing online coupons or specials
• Utilizing QR Codes
• Cross promotion with similar industry partners
• Signage where appropriate.

#3 Failure to Engage

Companies overlook the value of Social Media, often citing the irrelevance of “I took my dog on a walk” tweets on Twitter. Or, Facebook is a waste of time…

On a very basic level, companies need to capture their listings on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for no other reason than to provide a link back to their websites.

What’s more concerning is the damage that is done to a company’s reputation with a bad review.

Have you ever wondered why service companies like contractors, auto repair shops and doctors only have 5 Stars or 1 Star ratings, where restaurants have a plethora of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Stars? This is easily explained. Companies that actively solicit reviews from their customers typically have high approval rates. And those that are successful have a big target on their backs. In this cut-throat, competitive business environment, more and more struggling companies have succumbed to submitting negative reviews anonymously on their competitors.

Granted, there are those authentic bad reviews from past customers. We all know we can’t please everyone all the time.

But, what is important for your business is you engage these reviews immediately. Most of the time, your response will increase your credibility and reputation resulting in more clients, not less.

Is your company making mistakes with your online efforts?

Online success is an ongoing process. To be successful, businesses need to provide consistency and quality.

Websites are like gardens. If you don’t water, fertilize and maintain, they die and disappear.

If you missed it, be sure to read the 4 Elements for Online Success.

/>Small businesses struggle on a daily basis to simply stay in business. Poor economy, limited access to capital, government regulation, and the list goes on with a multitude of hindrances for business success.

‟The Number 1 problem small businesses face is poor sales” – NFIB Research Foundation 2012

Small business owners face an intimidation list of rad blocks to growing their business much less survive.

To be successful in today’s economy the most important factor to business survival is marketing. Without marketing you will struggle to survive.

Gone are the days of :

• Having an ad in a phone book
• Mailing promotional postcards
• Telemarketing a list of potential buyers
• Distributing a special or coupons

These tactics have been effectively rendered useless in today’s economy. With the advent of the internet and technology (computers and mobile phones) businesses have been forced to migrate their efforts online.

1 – Your business must have a website.

2 – Your website must be optimized

To be successful, a website needs to be found. Consumers discover products and services utilizing search engines, referrals and directory sites (Yelp, Angie’s List, City Search etc.) The term used to describe the process of developing these resources is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Traditional websites are DEAD

Contrary to popular belief, having a website that is optimized is only the start. Business are intimidated daily with pitches from companies promising first page results on the search engines. Sometimes they help, but most don’t.

3 – Your website must be optimized for Smartphones and Tablets

Today it is critical that your website be mobile enabled. More and more consumers rely on their smart phones (iPhones, Droids, Blackberries) and tablets (iPads Nexus, Kindle’s) to access the internet. Most company websites are not properly designed for the vast array of mobile screen sizes.

4 – Social Media is not an option, your website must engage.

The last factor in succeeding online is Social Networking. We’ve all heard of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, but have been uncertain how efforts made can net results to our bottom line. The term used to describe this element is Social Engine Marketing (SEM).

Your online success depends on these 4 Elements

Website, SEO, Mobile, Social

Understanding these 4 elements is the basis for developing a successful online presence.

In the next article, 3 Mistakes Businesses Make Online, we will provide an introduction and guidance to help you successfully market your business online.