The battle of two big bosses of storage services: Dropbox versus GoogleDrive

Among various cloud storage services that are available on the internet, Dropbox and Google Drive are definitely among the top three on the web, along with Sky Drive competing in the set of three as well.

 For the people who do not know much about these two services: Dropbox and GoogleDrive provides services that allow the user to store files on the internet under its own privacy control, share it with the selected audience and also allows to sync. Now that we have understood the importance of the service, the next process is to select the best cloud storage service for you. The difference in the sub-services provided by these two services will allow making the right choice for us, according to the requirement.

So, let us quickly get into the difference:

      1. Sharing: On of the most important feature as sharing the file is one of the major reasons why people use storage services; otherwise pen drive would have been enough to put money on.

Dropbox: Dropbox provides with simple, quick, effective sharing experience without any hassle whatsoever and can be shared just like any other link.

GoogleDrive: In order to share file, the receiver need to use GoogleDrive application as well, but still it is still a very convenient service when comes to sharing as it can be forwarded in the form of e-mail with good controlling options.

 

      2. Storage Space: The higher the space is, the cheaper that space is, more is the information to share on the web with friends, business-related professionals, etc.

Dropbox: The price for storage on Dropbox is on higher plateau with only 2 GB free storage available and after that approximately $10.00 per month for 100 GB. Despite Dropbox futile showcase of attracting users with extra 125MB for every time the account gets connected with Facebook or Twitter, it still is expensive in nature.

GoogleDrive: GoogleDrive does well with providing with 5 GB of free storage capability and after that approximately $5.00 per month for 100GB.  

 

     3. Security: In the world of increasing power and nuances of online hacking, it is important to secure the data, so dear to you.

Dropbox: The security maintained by Dropbox is uptight and provides two-step authentication process in order to enter the account. Along with it also ask for six-digit security code to enter into the account, it enhances the security.

GoogleDrive: Similar to Dropbox, it also asks for two-step authentication to connect with Gmail account, but it lacks six-digit security code, making it more vulnerable than Dropbox security.

      

     4. File Type: With the increased applications, the storage services shall have the power to support different kind of files, and if editing is possible too on web itself, it makes the service even better.

Dropbox: Dropbox supports lot of various file to be viewed on the web itself without the need to download the file, but still one cannot edit the file on the web itself. Only after downloading it can be edited.

GoogleDrive: It supports the most kind of files on the web itself along with the option of editing it online, itself. No other service supports as many files as GoogleDrive does, along with editing the file online makes it a better option.  

 

      5. Web Client: If the files are loaded heavily on these service providers, it is imperative to have better search option capabilities.       

Dropbox: Dropbox has advanced options to search the file online but with very limited options.

GoogleDrive: Well, GoogleDrive is obviously Google service thus one can see easily fathom the power of advanced search option that can literally do everything in filtering out the best search through numerous different file types, sizes and what not.

 

	Dropbox	GoogleDrive
Sharing	✓
Storage Space		✓
Security	✓
File Type		✓
Web Client		✓

 Source: Dickey, Megan Rose. “Dropbox Vs. Google Drive: Which Cloud Storage Service Is Better?” Business Insider. N.p., 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013.

<http://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-vs-google-drive-2013-4>

 Image courtesy: http://www.techzek.com/google-drive-gdrive-vs-dropbox-comparison/

 

 

Difference in content strategy for government, private and non-profit sector in their absolute and not-so-absolute state.

Non-profit organizations thrive best when they expose themselves truthfully through media outlet, in short they become transparent.  The content should always have at least a bit of content that can make readers to make a stance or create awareness or give a reason to respond at least. What is the purpose of content if does not serve any of the mentioned purpose in non-profit organizations?

Now, the content shall be developed to serve these purposes. How these purposes can be more effectively met? In order to make a person make a stance, we shall give a reason to take such a stance. Our content shall be targeted in such a way that it encourages the benefit and realistic outcome of taking stance. In order to create awareness, an astounding fact can shake the person in remembering the fact that creates effective awareness so that chance of follow-up action increases. If the content is not strong enough to generate awareness or create stance, then at least it should create a connection with the audience to be read, such content help to accumulate information in audience’s mind that can motivate to change, later, when audience is ready.

Generally rich, visually empowering and astounding facts make the content successful for non-profit organizations.

What is government? They are group of people chosen by public (in democratic environment) to serve the community. Let us believe, hypothetically, that government is actually perfect. In such a scenario, the purpose of government would be to make a community (i.e. a country) run smoothly internally and externally. Due to the complexity in the internal and external structure, the content would be needed to be filtered. Creating awareness in order to maintain order in the community will be the sole purpose of government at every cost. Now, let us consider to keep the power becomes the central approach or at least a major concern for government. They would need to make the content even less transparent, because nothing remains same and since chaos always exist in imperfect society, government would need to make the content highly political in nature to soothe the major section of the society to keep away from chaos and in return it keeps them in power. The absolute truth would have existed in individualistic, perfect society. Now let us combine this theory on the content strategy. Content strategy for the government will be simple: Keep the content clean, straight-forward, not trying something unusual and also not trying hard to impress until or unless, the content goes against their vote bank. The usage of visually attractive content shall be kept to minimum and should be used when necessary. For example, if the focus is young generation, the visually rich content may be useful, but again nothing over the top shall be used.

Private sector is out there to make us pay more than the cost of their product or service. Not bashing them in any way, but consumerism exists most in democratic environment. How does this consumerism work? Create a sense of deficiency in the sub-conscious mind of human-being. Creation of this requirement can be done if the analytical skill of the content is of higher intelligence quotient. If the content becomes successful, it creates higher absorption need. Alright, so in order for the content to be successful, it needs to be made in sophisticated manner that does not directly reveal the purpose but subtly create the need. It can be done best through a good balance of visually gratifying content that matches up with the written content. For absolute private sector (for profits sector), it is impossible to be create absolutely clean, transparent content. The understanding of human psychology plays an important role to write a successful content.

Only Image source: http://barbragago.com/do-i-really-need-a-content-strategy/

Google Analytics analysis of website “www.nimishmaheshwari.com”

The visitors to my website are generally my classmates; the data that I have gathered through Google Analytics will not form a precise analysis because the visitor sample here is not general sample. But still sufficient enough of observations can be developed and then analyzed.

The goal of my website is to create awareness on Animal Cruelty and Environmental concerns, thus initially my concern would be the kind of people who are visiting my website.  If I am able to create low bounce rate, the better it reflects the acquirement of my goal, since the longer the stay, the chance that the person will get more aware about these concerns.

So, the basic requirement of my goal is more interaction, more visitors along with lower bounce rate.

Let’s start with the bounce rate, then:

1.       Bounce Rate:

Bounce rate is quite satisfying, since it is fresh website. Due to several pages on my website, it has led to low bounce rate. Still, the bounce rate will increase if the content on other pages is not interesting enough. Also, since it is new website, it has drawn initial attention, but if the content is not well prepared and written, the initial advantage will be wasted. Fresh and interesting content has to be written.

2.       Average Visit Duration:

 

Another perspective to look into when to see whether my goal has been achieved or not is to know how much time visitors have stayed on my website on average. The more time visitors spent on my not-for-profit website will show that they are interested in the content and thus the chances of making them influence is increased. Here, the average visit duration is sufficient enough to know at least the gist of the concern presented.

3.       Demographics:

When I developed the goal and objective of my website, it was to increase the awareness, such that it gets converted into positive action. The best demographic to choose that can actually make difference through a translated action is 25-34 age groups. Since, this group has the ability to be converting their awareness into action in most effective manner. The less rigidity in this group what I was looking into. Another important group for me to look into is 18-24 age groups. The time invested in this group will result better future outcomes, if I am able to get them on my website and influence them. I will be content enough, if I can simply make them aware, because of their less independence. The action from this age group shall not be expected.

Due to the above mentioned reasons and the satisfying statistics, the website has captured the right audience.

4.       Geography:

 

The content on the website is as of right now, targeted more towards Canadians than elsewhere. Thus, the above information well suffices the short-term objective of website.

5.       Level of Interaction:

This is interesting report to look into. After the landing page (home page), the other interaction reflects the general interest of people. Here, the forums page is the best bet on my website. Thus, this page has to be handled with more interactive content in the future. Other than that, we can see that on 1^st interaction, “animal-cruelty”, “green-ideas” and “what-we-do” are the pages that resulted in interest from people. The later level of interaction means the pages are not much of interest, at least the title of the page! The better content on late interaction levels can increase the overall quality of the content on the website.

In order to have better analysis, it is important to keep the proper, systematic and regular tab on Google Analytics reports. Especially, when the website is launched, as it helps in giving the direction on how to handle the visitors in the future, since as we already know, if initial proper direction is provided than the later part becomes easier to tread upon.

This sum up basic and initial Google analytics analysis of my website: www.nimishmaheshwari.com

To sum up my Google analytics analysis, please find the image below:-

That’s all from me for now,

Nimish Maheshwari

How to correctly find the right audience when starting a social media campaign?

In order to effectively utilize the social media policy, it is important to well define the targeted audience for government, non-profit or private sector. Since the audience are not per-defined or ascertained until the goals and objectives are formulated, hence the core variables are needed to be formed such that it becomes easy to capture the right audience.

The three consistent and core variables that can be found in the above mentioned three sectors are as follows:

• Assessing the present audience:

The present audience is the core identity of any sector, thus, first labeling the current audience is important. This labeling can reflect the kind of social network that they are currently using. After it is done, the comprehensive data can be generated that can help to determine on how the new social campaign can be linked with data, so that the asset such that present audience do not get lost in the process.

Current audience is also needed to be segregated according to the level of interaction that exists between the organization and audience. For example:

1. For Government, Law makers and party leaders are very close acquaintances, whereas the citizens just follow government’s policy.
2. For Private, Staff members are very close acquaintances, whereas the consumers just consume their products and services.
3. For Non-profit, fundraisers are very close acquaintances, whereas the passive followers may just share the content.

• Research on the competitors/other similar groups:

In order to properly and quickly adapt to a particular situation and correctly find the targeted audience, researching on what the competitors are presently doing in the market place, it allows the company or organization to start from higher level, without any primary research. Even the mistakes can be observed and new development can be produced over the existing competitor’s strength, weaknesses and flaws. Researching on competitors is easy approach to reach and locate the targeted audience, but being prudent in this step is necessary, too, as the chances of getting carried away is high, as originality can be lost and thus targeted audience can be misinterpreted.

•  Defining the overall audience:

This variable is co-dependent on the above mentioned variables and thus these three variables can be termed as a step process, too.

Anyways now that present audience is well understood and research on the competitors has enabled to filter the audience. The complete picture of the targeted audience can be understood as goals and objectives of the social media campaign be matched with the requirement to fulfill it. For it to happen, it is necessary that the PESTLE analysis (or any other analysis, depending upon the requirement) be made. It will filter the audience to right size and thus reduces the chance of error.

Work Cited:

Image from: http://jumpstartcto.com/why-defining-your-target-audience-is-important/

Xbox Live takes their gaming console ahead of PlayStation’s console

The world’s leading gaming consoles have been in lock horn against each other over dominance for over a decade now. But never one corporation has out-smarted the other one in dominance. With the world now that revolves around social media platforms, it is important for both corporations to widen their social influence.

According to the Alexa ratings, Xbox (918) has better global ranking in web dominance over PlayStation (1318), especially in United States. The problem for PlayStation is not that they have less dominance only, but the visitors to their website are less interested to navigate further in the website as bounce rate inches to 50%. It means half of the visitors probably were not interested to check out anything other than the look of home page! Half a visitor well wasted. Whereas Xbox, it is less bad as the bounce rate hovers around 38%.

Relevant information on Alexa is as follows:

• Daily page per views and daily time spent is directly proportional to bounce rate. Xbox has slight advantage over PlayStation.
• Xbox is able to capitalize well on the existence of live.com (run by Microsoft) and is the prime source of visitors to their website.
• In fast-paced and less patient world, every microsecond counts. Despite both websites being slow in loading, Xbox win by microseconds. For few young visitors it is not funny to be slow.

According to the SimilarWeb ratings, Xbox (612) has even better ranking than on Alexa and dominate over PlayStation by higher margin (1253). For Xbox, more than 50% directly reached to the website whereas for PlayStation, more than 50% at first did organic research before reaching to the website. When it comes to the reign over Social Media, Xbox again was able to out-do PlayStation, though by small margin. The reason behind Xbox’s online dominance over PlayStation can be of better online gaming options. As, most of the visitors on Xbox.com utilize the online services.

Other relevant information on SimilarWeb is of similar nature, thus I intend not to bore my limited readers with unimportant data.

Few more strengths and weakness that can be analyzed from the information on Alexa and SimilarWeb are as follows:

1. With the increasing usage of young generation utilizing various social media platforms, PlayStation larger presence over social media gives them higher chance to succeed in future than Xbox. (SimilarWeb:- Playstation:7.16%, Xbox: 2.4%)
2. Visitors stay longer at Xbox.com with better online gaming experience; this gives Xbox better option to market their new products with less marketing effort and better conversion rate into purchasing the service or product. (SimilarWeb:- Playstation: 3min 23 secs, Xbox: 5 min 10 secs)
3. The competition between these two companies shall remain fierce since if the element of online community for gaming purposes is discarded, they will probably have same online presence. (Xbox online community is strong, according to SimilarWeb)

–          Clearly, with 30.3 million visitors to Xbox.com in last three months and 16.9 million visitors to PlayStation, Xbox has upper hand by huge margin.

Generally the information gathered from Alexa and SimilarWeb is similar but few numbers are more different to be not skeptical about it, such that Global Ranking. In order to understand on why the data can be different in few aspects I found an interesting article on how Alexa works, since it is only blog post, too without reliable source, I would Like to warn the readers to know that it may be untrue (see citation at the end of this paragraph). So according to the blog, Alexa extract the information who use Alexa toolbar or few other add-ons or plug-ins. How many of people generally use these toolbars? Generally tech-savvy and marketers use it, thus the information provided cannot be accurate and will depend upon how Alexa and SimilarWeb strategize to reach to the information. (Website:http://paulstamatiou.com/why-you-should-completely-ignore-alexa-stats)

With the strong Xbox Live online community, Xbox may appear to be clearly holding the tope edge but with poor economic stability in United States, people may shift to buy a cheaper option, and cheaper option is PlayStation. Only time will decide which factor outweighs the other one.

Image 1. “PS4 vs Xbox One: Which Is Better?” TechRadar. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

Image 2.”PS4 vs. Xbox One: Who Will Win The Living Room?” ReadWrite. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

“Xbox.com.” SimilarWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

“Playstation.com.” SimilarWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

“Xbox.com.” Alexa. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

“Playstation.com.” Alexa. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

“PS4 vs Xbox One: Which Is Better?” TechRadar. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.