Alt Attribute & Seo

SEO Optimization images is becoming more and more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is often overlooked. This is often a lost chance of better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images on your web site:

Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to provide descriptive text. Additionally, we recommend utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text around the image.

Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is simple, really; search engines like google have the same problem as blind users. They cannot see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse the use of this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now as it was previously.

On the other hand, high keyword density can, on some search engines, trigger spam filters, which may result in a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without this type of penalty, your site's rankings won't take advantage of this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that actually read aloud the contents of what's shown on the screen. In browsing the net, the alt attributes of images are read aloud as well.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of numerous keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it bluntly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute shouldn't be used like a description or a label to have an image, though lots of people use it in that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or perhaps a description, it is not!

The words used within an image's alt attribute should be its text equivalent and convey exactly the same information or serve exactly the same purpose that the image would.

The thing is to supply the same functional information that a visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the look itself is not available. Ask yourself this: If you were to replace the image using the text, would most users receive the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If your search button is really a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text ought to be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If the image is supposed to convey the literal items in the look, a description is suitable.

If it's meant to convey data, then that data is what is appropriate.

If it's designed to convey using a function, then the function is what ought to be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility as well as for valid XHTML.

For images that play only a decorative role within the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or perhaps a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers do not bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".

Remember that it is the function of the image we're trying to convey. For instance; any button images shouldn't include the word "button" in the alt text. They ought to emphasize the action performed through the button.

Alt text should be based on context. The same image inside a different context may require drastically different alt text.

Attempt to flow alt text with the rest from the text because that's how it is going to be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly be aware that a graphic image is there.
Please keep in mind that utilizing an alt attribute for each image is needed to meet the minimum WAI requirements, that are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and also the remainder of Europe. They are also necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.

It is important to categorize non-text content into three levels:

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose other than to make a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There is no content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there's something there which will enhance the usability of the site for someone using a non-visual user agent. Make use of a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.

II. Mood-Setting

This is actually the middle layer of graphics which may serve to set the atmosphere or set happens so to speak. These graphics are not direct content and may not be considered essential, but they are essential in they help frame what is going on.

Attempt to alt-ify the 2nd group as makes sense and it is relevant. There might be times when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.

For example; Alt text that is just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content inside for all users.

Most times it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content should always be fully available. The way you use this case is really a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is where the look may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes can also be so as.
The reason many authors can't understand why their alt text isn't working is that they don't know why the images are there. You need to figured out exactly what function an image serves. Consider what it's concerning the image that's vital that you the page's intended audience.

Every graphic includes a reason for standing on that page: since it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is attempting to explain. Knowing what the image is perfect for makes alt text simpler to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A way to look into the usefulness of alternative text is to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. What would you say when encountering a specific image to create the page understandable to the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools at your disposal for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is in between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and can add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered by the user agent. Remember they're invisible and not shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (So much for device independence). So make use of the title attribute just for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a complete description of the image. If the information found in a picture is essential to the meaning of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost when the image was removed), a longer description compared to "alt" attribute can reasonably display ought to be used. It can provide for rich, expressive documentation of a visual image.

It should be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of an image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is really a long description of the image...The goal is by using any length of description essential to impart the facts from the graphic.

It would not be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the image - within the mind's eye, an analogy that holds true even for that totally blind."

Although the alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility and for valid (X)HTML, not every images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

Oftentimes, you're better off just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not necessary to incorporate it, and if you don't have a strong urge to get it done, don't add that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the entire page to work, then you've to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a great deal on the function of the image and it is context about the page.

Exactly the same image may require alt text (or title or longdesc) in one spot, but not in another. If the image provides absolutely no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt will be required and perhaps even a long description will be so as. In many cases this type of thing is really a judgement call.

Image Search Engine Optimization Tips

Listed here are key steps in optimizing images:

Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You can use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Stay away from underscores like a word separator, such as "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For example, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume the file is really a photo, and when it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;

Ensure that the text at the image that's relevant to that image.
Again, don't lose an excellent chance to help your website with your images searching engines. Use these steps to position better on all the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine marketers and usability engineers want to understand why we go to websites and what we do after we arrive at a search results page. They ask questions like:

• Are we satisfied with where we landed?


• Did the engine provide accurate results listings?


• Was our click choice a positive one?


• Did we stay on the site or leave?


• If we left, what search result better matched what we wanted to find?


• Was it the search results or did we have a bad experience with the web page we landed on?

Both search engines and human factors related fields study our intent.

Author Matt Bailey points to the depth of the importance of intent in his new book, Internet Marketing: An Hour a Day.

“Search engines are integrating more multimedia and allowing deeper access to documents and media earlier in the search process. They are attempting to determine the intent of the searcher and deliver results accordingly.”

What is our intent? Why do we visit the Internet? Why do we use search sites such as Google and Youtube?

In a 2009 ComScore study (comScore, 2009), they found that “Nearly one out of every ten minutes a person spends online around the world is spent on a Google site.” This includes the search engine itself, Youtube, which they own, Google books, email, Google reader and more.

Clearly, marketers want to be sure their clients’ websites perform well in Google’s web properties. Not doing so can wreck the success of a business.

Search Behavior = People Who Search

Shortly after search engines and information sites appeared on the Internet, case studies zeroed in to understand why, who, where, when, where and how humans use them. Hot on the trail, too, were analysts interested in learning about site traffic, popularity, rank and how to make money from it.

Many of you were guinea pigs during the 1990’s when web page backgrounds were gray with black text, and animation, 3D images, scrolling text boxes, rotating banners and blinking images were all part of a typical user interface.

As fun as all those things were to create (I loved animating images), web designers had to buckle to user preferences.

Search engines learned what we really come to the Internet for. Perhaps search engine sites are not suitable for certain subject types when it comes to information searches. In order to improve search engine design and SEO marketing efforts, we try to understand user intent and goals for searching.

It’s been well established at this point that search engines are used by us to find information. What kinds of information are most popular?

A recent study from Australia on who uses search engines found that half of search engine queries were looking for a particular website, while the other 50% were split between ecommerce and popular culture searches.

The study also pointed to what is referred to as “leisure searches”. The findings present the idea of search sites not only for information gathering or shortcuts to web sites, but they’re also sources for leisure, with one in six of all searches estimated as being leisure searches.

The Australian study offered some surprising details for anyone wondering what we’re searching for, by subject. Adult site searches fell into the middle, with ecommerce being second, edged under a tad by popular culture topics. Health, weather, contemporary affairs and government are the least popular searches.

The study stood out from others because it included and factored in the lifestyle of their participants. This is different than user testing labs or Eye tracking tests. To their surprise, lifestyle choices had no measurable impact on the type of search queries. In fact, new questions were raised on user –searcher behavior.

For example, do Internet users tend to go to particular trusted web sites for information on healthcare, computing and contemporary affairs, rather than use search engines? Does the distribution of the most ranked subjects searched for represent user interests or the suitability of search engines for looking up certain types of topics?

Another study (Broder, 2002) narrows search engine user behavior as informational, navigational, transactional and leisure. Half the searches in the study were navigational and one-third, transactional. Half of all searchers know where they want to go.

What Does This Mean To Search Marketers?

The most obvious is that it’s time to accept usability studies into marketing strategy. And, user experience professionals can no longer devalue the role of search marketers. Both camps provide essential skills and expertise needed for web site projects.

A lot of what’s happening on the Internet is relationship building. The global community wants this so badly they invented social networking sites and social marketing to drive interest and generate revenue from these new site sources.

Emotional web design is no accident. We’re emotional beings. Empathy makes us connect with others.

“In life and business, focus on creating win-win situations. Look beyond the immediate sale in order to connect with customers as people.” – Steve Harper, The Ripple Effect.

Despite our developing mental models and creating user personas, we remain on the edge of understanding who uses our stuff. Wouldn’t it be grand if stakeholders got out of their offices and actually interacted with the people who use their websites?

I’ve often wished I could video people who multi-task at home, with one hand on a laundry basket, an ear to the cell phone and a hand reaching for the laptop nearby. What does that busy person search for and how? Can we make their experience less stressful?

Division between marketing and user experience will dissolve as both approaches discover they need each others’ data to do a better job for their clients.

There’s no question that a passion for usability and search engine marketing leads to their fascinating cousins, like information architecture, findability, captology, analytics and neurology. There’s also no question that money can be made by optimizing for and advertising in search engines.

Studying user behavior is a win-win for search engine technology, search marketing and website usability and human factors.

Cited Resources:

Broder 2002; A Taxonomy of Web Search (PDF)

Waller, Vivienne 2010; Not Just Information: Who Searches for What on the Search Engine Google?

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Related Topics: Just Behave

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Bench Craft Company on the topic of www com

Charlie Sheen’s use of technology and web 2.0 has earned him big dollars and a ‘winning’ formula for his own personal brand.

The Two And A Half Men star has greatly benefited from his own ability to embrace the internet, exploring all the marketing tools available to him. From breaking a twitter record, to hosting his own internet show on Ustream, the actor has done what few in Hollywood have ever achieved. Parody videos created by fans and websites dedicated to his one-liners are giving the actor non-stop free promotion and this in turn has created an audience of marketers for Charlie Sheen.

His infamous ABC interview gave birth to many of the viral video spoofs we have seen of his ‘radical’ behavior, which in turn, has fueled his twitter fan growth, and other media interview requests. With so many people discussing and sharing his antics, his own brand of controversy has been implanted onto the web, and has helped him sell tickets for his tour dates.

On top of that, Sheen’s regular updates with his fans on twitter provide a direct relationship and route to market. Sure that sounds a little cold, but he does have a following he can reach out to about his products.

Looking at what he did this week, Sheen took the next step in his own web fueled marketing campaign by making a self-parody video. This clever twist gave yet another viral hit to his name, as bloggers and social media re-posted and discussed how outrageous it was to see him spoof himself.

With many dates left on Charlie Sheen’s tour, the actor has a non-stop ‘Bi-Winning’ 24/7 marketing campaign, and other celebrities in the entertainment industry should learn from his online success.

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Lee bounces back, fans 12 as Phillies blank Nats

Back at his best after an unusually brief outing, Cliff Lee struck out 12 in a three-hit shutout, allowing the Phillies to overcome their own problems at the plate in a 4-0 victory over the Nationals.

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ABC <b>News</b> Exclusive: Pat Tillman&#39;s Mom Wants General Stanley <b>...</b>

ABC News' Jake Tapper reports: President Obama named retired General Stanley McChrystal to co-chair a White House commission on military families this week, but according to perhaps the most prominent military family of the last decade, ...

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Great <b>news</b>: Working population percentage drops to three-decade <b>...</b>

Great news: Working population percentage drops to three-decade low.

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Apple should see a material dip, on top of the one that occurred
after I indicated that I was short the stock on March 16th. Before we
delve into my opinion, let’s peruse the news from 1 a.m. this morning:

WSJ: Apple Crunched in Nasdaq Rebalance- In
a move likely to ripple across the stock market, Nasdaq OMX plans to
announce a rare rebalancing of its Nasdaq-100 index, which will reduce
the big weighting of Apple, which currently makes up more than 20% of
the index.

Bloomberg: Apple’s Weight in Nasdaq-100 to Be Reduced as Microsoft, Cisco Are Raised

So, why do you think Nasdaq decides to reduce Apple’s weighting now?
Well, the competitive pressures that Apple faces are nigh guaranteed to
make it impossible for it to fulfill the pie in the sky expectations
that are being built for it.  That in combination with a 20% weighting
create a recipe for a guaranteed crash in the Nasdaq unless something
was done about it. Signs of heavy reliance on on or two products for 70%
of their profit, while sourcing the most important parts of those
products from their biggest competitors, were starting to show. iPad 2
supplies are tight due to Japan’s woes, and Apple does not have the
mobile computing product diversity to handle it like the 150 or so
Android competitors it is battling. This means much more than just a gap
in profits for the quarter. These companies are in race, and Apple is
being forced to give up some of its lead due to diversification issues –
issues that Android manufacturers (who are more diversified because
there are so many more of them from different places) don’t have, or at
least not to the extent that Apple does. Thus, Samsung, LG, Asus, HTC,
etc. will be rolling out to customers who may have had an Apple iPhone
or iPad.

This is also another (of many) massive triumphs of BoomBustblog
research over that of the most esteemed Godman Sachs who put a $430
price target on Apple just as it was making all time highs and in direct
contravention to BoomBustBlog’s stated logic. See Shorting Apple and Why Software Developers Can Make More Money On Android Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

I have finally started dabbling with Apple
shorts and puts. My OTM S&P put positions were profitably stopped
out due to trailings yesterday when the market recovered some of its
losses. I have decided to use Apple in the place of the S&P puts
for the time being. Medium to long term, the trade is more evident and
obvious to anyone who is objective and follows BoomBustBlog. It is
significantly more risky shorter term. Alas, there are marginal gains
already, and once they accrue to the point of indemnifying my trailing
stop, I will add more. After I finish the current leg of my global real
estate research to be disseminated to institutions, I will offer
tidbits of the modeling (I have already offered subscribers significant
info on why I think Apple is a risky long play). From a contrarian
standpoint, it may be safe to go short with tight stops, after all
although Apple Gears Up To Combat The Margin Compression That Apparently Only It, Google & Reggie Middleton Sees Coming, we still have those guys over at West Street… Goldman’s
$430 Target, Screaming Buy On Apple At Its All Time High Is In Direct
Contravention To Reggie Middleton’s Logic – Who’s Right? Well, Who
Has Been More Right In The Past? I have taken The Challenge To Goldman Sach’s Apple Proclamation One Step

Farther, Apple’s Closed System Risks
Failure! Listen, everyone, regardless of what investment positions or
tech products you may have in your stable, needs to ask themselves the
appropriate “What if’s”. I have spurred the conversation with “Will Google Win The Mobile Computing War? Let’s Walk Through Where They Stand Now & How To Value Them”

Remember, I may not always be right, but it does pay to look at the track record…  Did Reggie Middleton, a Blogger at BoomBustBlog, Best Wall Streets Best of the Best? More attention should be paid to the little guy, after all by now it is Now Common Knowledge That Goldman’s Investment Advice Sucks!
Didn’t you get the memo? I’m sure many traders have spurned Apple due
to the Japanese market being cut off right at the launch of the iPad 2,
but the issues go deeper than that. I will cover it in depth at a later
date, though.

Additional thoughts on the Apple short:

1. Note For The Few Realistic Apple Bears… Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
2. Buffet on Apple – Common Sense! Monday, March 21st, 2011
3. Competition Heats Up In The Mobile Computing Space On Many Fronts – Prices Driven Down Once Again By The Big Players Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
4. How the “I Love Apple, There Is No Other Fever” Adds To The Attractiveness Of An Ever So Unpopular Apple Short Monday, March 21st, 2011

And that Research in Motion short alert
given to subscribers is working like a charm – even more so if it get’s
caught in  NASDAQ storm: Research in Motion Drops 10% After Hours, Precisely As We Warned Two Months Ago – MARGIN COMPRESSION!!! Thursday, March 24th, 2011

As rumors of a later-than-usual iPhone launch for 2011 persist, a new report reveals that the notoriously secretive Apple is being even more careful than usual when dealing with overseas suppliers.



"Apple is keeping its iPhone 5 cards extra close to the vest on this launch to avoid a falloff in iPhone 4 demand ahead of a refresh, especially given the February launch of the CDMA iPhone 4 with Verizon," Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said in a note to investors on Friday. He believes that the iPhone 5 could still launch in June or July, as previous models have.



White noted that various rumors have pointed toward a launch later than June this year for the fifth-generation iPhone. One report from March alleged that Apple has not even begun ordering components for the anticipated "iPhone 5," and the device is slated to arrive in the company's 2012 fiscal year, which begins in late September.



And a third report alleged that Apple is working on a major revamp of iOS, its mobile operating system, for version 5.0. New features like cloud-based storage of music, photos and video are rumored to arrive in the update this fall, likely alongside new iPhone hardware.



But despite all of those reports, White isn't yet convinced that the iPhone 5 will be introduced later than its typical June or July timeframe.



"Although we do not have a smoking gun that definitively rules out a delayed autumn unveiling or one that supports a launch this summer, there is a pattern of activity in motion with the supply chain that makes us question a delayed launch," he said.



White also cited sources who indicated that iPad sales could reach up to 40 million units in calendar year 2011. And supply chain sources also indicated that disruption from the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan will actually end up benefitting Apple, as suppliers will "rush to support Apple at the expense of competitors."



The analyst already revealed earlier this week that Apple has been offering upfront cash payments to component suppliers in order to secure components in the wake of the disaster in Japan. Apple has apparently also been using a "three cover guarantee," referring to capacity, stock and price, to block out competitors and prevent them from building ample supply of devices.

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It’s not such a wonderful time to be a doctor, patient, hospital, health plan or pharma company, but judging by the quality and quantity of entries received for this edition of the HWR, it’s a wonderful time to be a wonk.

A couple weeks ago CMS released draft rules for Accountable Care Organizations. Several bloggers weighed in on that development:

• Mark McClellan and Elliott Fisher at Health Affairs provide some historical context and argue that “those who care deeply about health care reform all have a common interest in the success of ACOs as a way of avoiding more classic fee-for-service payment cuts to providers.”


• On a more downbeat note, The Road to Health concludes, “Dr. Berwick and his colleagues at CMS appear to have taken the ACO concept and made it into a financial program that only delusional practice administrators, or physician organizations bent on financial self-destruction, could love.”


• The Healthcare IT Guy expects ACOs to be “far more lucrative and disruptive than Meaningful Use and likely to yield more patient quality improvements.”


• GE Healthcare puts the emphasis on ACO change management challenges: “Healthcare executives and management teams are left to focus on preparing their organizations for a cultural shift of seismic proportions.”


• HealthBlawg reviews the proposed rules and produces 8 takeaways. #2: “This is the Frankenstein regulation: A Medicare beneficiary must sit on the board of the ACO, CMS must approve all marketing materials before they are used.”

In the midst of the battle over funding the 2011 budget, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan came out with a plan to radically restructure Medicare and Medicaid starting in 2012:

• The Apothecary likes much of what he sees and thinks the proposal may force Democrats to devise a credible plan of their own


• John C. Goodman’s Health Policy Blog contrasts PPACA and the Ryan plan. “Obviously, the path we are on leads to an impossible place. So the only question is whether we are going to get off the current path in a planned, orderly way or whether we are going to let unplanned chaos do the trick.”


• Wright on Health is less impressed and wonders, “if Rep. Ryan is so adamant about reducing the deficit, why is he cutting taxes for the wealthy and cutting programs for the poor and the elderly?”


• Managed Care Matters is decidedly unswayed. “If you were looking for real solutions to the health cost problem, you’re going to be sorely disappointed… Unfortunately, he’s fallen into the same trap his Democratic colleagues did with their version of health reform – the Ryan plan does little to address costs.”


• The Incidental Economist takes issue with Ryan’s plan to convert Medicaid to block grants and cut spending. “Should Medicaid be cut back, more people will be uninsured. Contrary to what some wish you to believe, those who become uninsured will suffer worse health outcomes”

As if the ACO rules and Ryan plan weren’t enough, there’s more on Medicare in the blogosphere:

• The Covert Rationing Blog –always good for a lighthearted pick me up– “asserts that we are one giant step closer to the day when it will become illegal for all Americans to spend their own money on their own healthcare.”


• Dr. Liberty discusses CMS’s deliberations on whether to pay for Provenge, a pricey prostate drug. “Decisions are made on the basis of politics, and the drive is to cover everything, leading to higher costs.”

Amid all the federal policy blogging, there’s still some room for technology talk:

• Healthcare Talent Transformation has had it with Health Net’s repeated goof up’s leading to loss of confidential data. Although it may seem like there’s not much the average person can do, the blog argues, “You can make an impact on the security of your sensitive data by conducting due diligence when it comes to your insurance provider.”


• The Healthcare Blog offers a video collage of the new Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health. “The Center is  a pretty fascinating place–part tech and idea showcase and part meeting room. Certainly no other health care organization that I’m aware of has spent so much on a place designed to stimulate the imagination and enhance conversation–under the nose of the folks on Capitol Hill.”


• Meaningful HIT News features a podcast with mHealth Initiative’s Peter Waegemann, who’s shifted over from EMRs to ride the mobile wave


• Healthcare Economist delves into new papers that, “examined how to develop accurate algorithms to account for cancer stage in studies using claims data.”

It was encouraging to receive a couple submissions about  journalism:

• Disease Care Management Blog asks, “Is the kerfuffle over National Public Radio (NPR) the long delayed comeuppance for liberal bias run amok, or a narrow-minded attack on the inconvenient truths from journalistic excellence?” The blog reaches into the world of medicine and discusses of “framing” and its impact on patient decision making to provide an answer


• HealthNews ReviewBlog cites, “daily evidence of the need for improvement in health care journalism – especially when we see examples like hype of a tiny, preliminary study of strawberries for esophageal cancer.”

We always have room in the Health Wonk Review for some posts on medical ethics:

• Nuts for Healthcare looks at the pharma industry and concludes, “Doctors need to take a more definitive stand against the specter of industry influence. A good target? Industry sponsorship of continuing medical education.”


• Health Care Renewal is concerned that so-called government run programs are more private than we think. “The majority of Medicaid has been out-sourced to private health care insurance companies… We need to have some real discussions about the rise of corporatism in US health care, in other aspects of US society and around the world.”

And finally, a few odds and ends

• Workers’ Comp Insider provides resources for employers concerned about radiation exposure


• Colorado Health Insurance Insider chronicles the decline of bipartisanship in the creation of a health insurance exchange for that state. “Healthcare reform has become such a polarized topic that it’s difficult for lawmakers to have any stance other than for it or against it.  Even though the health insurance exchanges would be marketplaces that sell private health insurance, the word ‘exchange’ has been thrown around so much during the reform debates that many opponents of the PPACA see it as synonymous with ‘ObamaCare.’”


• Last week I went to a health care direct to consumer marketing conference to see former TimeWarner CEO Jerry Levin interviewed by OrganizedWisdom CEO Steve Krein. I also shared my thoughts in the video clip below

Thanks for reading the Health Wonk Review! The Incidental Economist hosts the next edition.

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class="dropcap">Bill Thomas used to be a climate change skeptic, not believing that humans could have influenced the dramatic atmospheric shift, but two weeks in the woods — and chats with scientists — changed his mind.

“I remember vividly that first day with Dr. Jess Parker; he showed us a chart of CO2 levels increasing about the time of the industrial revolution,” says Thomas, who works for HSBC bank and participated in a 2007 Climate Champions training program. There, a personal epiphany led to a job title change — the former relationship manager for HSBC Technical Services is now group head of HSBC Technology and Services Sustainability.

Teaching employees the science behind green corporate values and how to make their workplaces sustainable isn’t just for “green” show — done right, it’s good business strategy.

“There seems to be a huge growth of interest among companies to not just keep the environmental initiatives within a subset of employees, but to make it a pervasive part of the corporate culture,” says Krista Badiane, who manages the business and environment program at the National Environmental Education Foundation.  And unlike broad, mandated rules — such as carbon caps — companies that create their own initiatives take ownership and credit for sustainable changes, which may well go beyond what laws would have dictated.

By cultivating current workers’ energy-saving ideas and environmental passions, companies can save resources, energy and money as well as boost their eco-friendly reputation. The key is to help employees learn why sustainability matters — for instance, unless it’s slowed, climate change could alter global landscapes and increase natural disasters in our lifetimes. And if employees realize what’s at stake, they’ll find ways to save resources at work — as well as at home.

Worker to Citizen Scientist/> In a patch of woods in Edgewater, Md., bordering Smithsonian Environmental Research Center campus buildings, HSBC technology managers are intently straightening a measuring tape wrapped around a mature oak. Phil Clarke, from Portland, Ore., leans in and meticulously gets a reading of its diameter: 94.8 inches. During this weeklong Sustainability Leader training, he’s learning what scientists do and what shape the planet is in. He knows that the measurements taken today — even though what they reveal won’t be known for awhile — will help guide decisions that will keep our world sound for future generations.

His employer, HSBC bank — a global financial services company with 300,000 employees working in 8,000 offices and pre-tax profits topping $11 billion — decided to go carbon neutral in 2005. For the past three years, HSBC bank has partnered with EarthWatch Institute for an international study on climate change’s effects on tree growth, as well as a program that trains employees around the world in sustainability. When workers return to the office after their forest immersion, they find ways to integrate newly learned sustainability lessons in their spheres of influence.

Clarke and the other HSBC technology services managers from around North America — key decision-makers hand picked for the training — earn the title of Sustainability Leader. A larger two-week program trains HSBC employees from all levels — from cashier to marketing staffer — to become Climate Champions.

Such citizen science training helps corporate employees understand the mechanics of science — that systems are complex, and that there are no easy answers. “You learn what a critical state the world is actually in,” says Annette Fasolino of HSBC’s payment operations division in Buffalo, N.Y.

Having that up-close experience with scientists and ecosystems helps employees better grasp how climate change is impacting, and may impact, the world. “Many of these people go back and question their decisions, and make sure they’re making the most sustainable decisions,” says Thomas.

Cultivating the Grassroots/> Though the partnership between HSBC and EarthWatch is unique, other companies are also looking to their staff for sustainable solutions. “There’s no one best program for a company to educate their employees,” Badiane says.

Some companies or groups of motivated employees organize green teams, which promote eco-friendly changes and teach colleagues sustainable alternatives. Initiatives range from banning disposable utensils in the lunchroom to redesigning an operating system to save raw materials. “Ideally, you’re getting some new ideas out of your employees,” says Deborah Fleischer, president of Green Impact, a sustainability consulting service.

Businesses also use social media sites such as Yammer — a private social network for companies — or online training to generate sustainable ideas.

Other companies dangle a carrot — awards and incentives — to get workers to make sustainable choices. Yogurt maker Stonyfield tied facility energy savings (based on energy use per ton of product) to employee bonuses. In this way, the company reduced energy use by more than 22 percent, according to a NEEF report.

To engage workers of all levels, eBay employed competition: a Big Green Idea Contest. To enter, employees identified ways the company could meet greenhouse gas reduction goals; then, employees voted on the top ideas. One idea, the eBay Box — simple, eco-friendly packaging that’s meant to be reused for eBay shipments — has become a useful tool that saves money and resources.

Unfortunately, some companies’ efforts are no more than greenwashing stunts to appear eco-friendly and keep up with their competition. Producing disposable trinkets with “green” logos or launching environmental-focused public relations initiatives while pushing pollution limits does not jive with true sustainability. The companies mentioned here, however, offer genuine solutions that leave a lighter footprint.

Two Kinds of Green/> Such engagement can yield significant savings: One North American HSBC Climate Champion noticed that co-workers weren’t shutting down their PCs every night, wasting energy. Now, NightWatchman software automatically shuts down more than 6 million computers left on. During fiscal year 2010 in North America, the software coupled with an awareness program saved 4 million kilowatts per year of electricity and about 900 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which shaved $332,000 on energy bills.

At defense contractor Lockheed Martin, a Camden, Ark., building uses a software system to control lighting and air conditioning, leading to more than $200,000 in reduced costs and savings of 2,332 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to the NEEF report. And at drugmaker Genetech,  green teams slashed the use of bottled water, saving the company $200,000 a year by using filtered water machines paired with reusable bottles, according to a white paper by Fleischer, “Green Teams: Engaging Employees in Sustainability.”

But benefits to a company can’t always be calculated in dollars.

“By creating an engaged employee base, we’re really putting it into hearts and minds of employees, and that’s going to be much more powerful and long-term than saying ‘you must turn off your PC,’” says Sharon Walck, senior vice president of sustainability at HSBC North America.

Investing in and teaching sustainable values to workers also boosts retention, according to NEEF, which is extremely important to large corporations. The foundation says losing and replacing a good employee can cost a company between 70 percent and 200 percent of that employee’s annual salary.

And, Badiane says, “employees who are motivated want to work for a company that has the same values.”

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Roofing Companies Vancouver - 5 Questions to Think about

Roofing Vancouver - Faq's

1. Repair or Replace?

There's no opinion like an expert opinion. Most contractors will provide you with a free estimate. Get a list of a few trusted contractors and contact them well ahead of time of when you wish to obtain your homes roof fixed to help you compare costs and opinions.

2. Beauty versus Practicality?

Discuss this together with your spouse or partner. (The kids could care less...at least the children.) Truth is, nobody wants an ugly roof the same as nobody wants to be viewed with bed hair. If you've got a good quality roof and you just need to do the repair, it's worth it to pay the price of the original shingle instead of doing patchwork. A roof replacement doesn't happen very often (we hope!) and so make a choice that best suits you and your loved ones well or it'll stick out just like a sore thumb everyday you go home.

3. Should I replace the roof in order to sell the home for more?

Think about this cautiously before making a choice. Depending on the roofing material you select, a brand new roof can last between twenty, fifty, to one-hundred years! This means you need to check the year of the roof that's currently over your head first. Are you at year 18 of a 20-year warranted roof or year 30 of the 50-year warranted roof? Obviously, the quality is the reason why the rooftop keep going longer, but when you're not planning to remain in your present home throughout your life, the larger expense might not be worth neglect the. Although a brand new roof can improve the worth of your selling price, the rise might not be enough to pay for neglect the and that's definitely going to hurt your wallet.

4. Is it advisable for me to repair the roof myself?

Sure it's. But before you need to do, consult an expert first. You can do it yourself, however, you shouldn't be considered a complete ‘lone ranger.' With respect to the extent of your repair, you may or may not convince you. Either way, it will help to obtain a professional eye about the problem first and maybe a free quote to help you do the math later and see if it's truly worth your time, sweat, and money to be mister or miss fix-it.

5. Just when was a good time to get the roof replaced?

Weather may cause delays from days to weeks. Most people plan ahead to have their roof replaced in the summer when they know someone is going to be home during the day for a solid fourteen days. Once you've this period in your mind, make a call to some trusted contractor months in advance to obtain a quote. Some companies get booked up fast and odds are, they're probably the most reputable. Planning ahead from the summer also provides you with time for you to discuss with many compare costs...especially if you want to have the roof done by a specified date.

 

The very best Roofing Contractor In Vancouver!

It is possible to leak inside your home's roof? Have you lost shingles or tiles in a storm? Have overhanging branches caused damage? Is your roof a lot more than Two decades old and showing its age? Are your gutters overwhelmed and draining poorly?

When the answer to these questions is "Yes" it is time to call the very best roofing company Vancouver - Crown Roofing & Drainage.

For over a century Crown Roofing continues to be the roofer of choice among our Vancouver neighbors. We offer complete roofing services, from emergency repairs and roof restoration, to accomplish roof replacement. All while using finest quality materials, installed with precision and the highest degree of customer support.

YOUR Vancouver ROOF DESERVES Believe it or not!

The roof of the Vancouver house is the first type of defence against wind, rain, snow, ice and other weather elements. Make sure it's up to the job. Among Vancouver Roofing companies, only Crown Roofing has got the depth of experience and successful track record to ensure your roofing system is going to be properly designed and installed.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

One reason Crown Roofing has been the most successful roofing contractor in Vancouver is our resolve for our neighbors. We treat your house as though it were our own and we were building a roof to protect our own family. That's what neighbors do, and you will count on Crown Roofing being here to support you and also back our work. In the end, we've been repairing and replacing roofs in Vancouver since 1902!

GET A FREE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION OF YOUR Vancouver ROOF.

Visit the Roofers Vancouver for a FREE inspection and evaluation of the roof. Make sure you get the very best roof for the Vancouver home, in the cost effective. We build roofs to last!

 

Tacoma Roofing company: Help your house be Beautiful

Very few people view the worth of a solid roof, but your knowledgeable Tacoma Roofer does. From top notch experience, they will be able to let you know why you require a strong, secure, and leak-free roof in your home.

Your local Tacoma Roofing contractor is knowledgeable how important a financial investment your property is for you personally, especially as it is a long term one. Your home may have been damaged slowly through the years and you need to take steps to minimize this damage. For a number of people, keeping their house beautiful is another matter of pride. You will find those too who'd like to turn their property right into a economical and efficient living place. Your homes roof is an integral part of your house and contributes to each one of the aspects mentioned previously. Because of this, you need to employ the services of qualified a Tacoma Roofer.

Types of Roofs installed by a Tacoma Roofer

One of the more common types of roofs are asphalt shingles, steel or metal sheeting, fiberglass, slate and terra cotta tiles.

Each type of roof invites distinct problems, however they can be easily taken care of by a trusted Tacoma Roofing company. It's vital that you nip roof problems within the bud before they become too expensive or dangerous. You can schedule an appointment using the Tacoma Roofing contractor to take a glance at your roof to determine if there are any issues or potential issues with it. If there are, they may be able to tell you how to approach them.

A Tacoma Roofer Helps to Build Strong Homes

The exteriors of any house, primarily the rooftop and gutters, face the onslaught of bitter and varying weather conditions, day after day. Painting, repairing, and cleaning gutters might be necessary. In some cases you may have to replace them completely. Usually, when your gutters show signs and symptoms of trouble, your homes roof also needs to be inspected for problems. Whatever issues there might be, a skilled Tacoma Roofer can examine them at length and suggest the remedy.

In case your gutters tend to clog too often, or there are leaks along the walls of your house, it may imply that there's debris piled up on the top. Loose branches, piles of leaves, along with other light objects which are swept onto your roof throughout a storm can all contribute towards damaging your homes roof, which damages could be lasting. An educated Tacoma Roofing contractor will explain that birds, mice, and other kinds of rodents often build nest in the debris that collects on the roof. While these nests may look rather innocent, they are great at collecting moisture, which can lead to loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your house. In addition, this may also cause vermin infestation. Following a storm, your Tacoma Roofing company will suggest that you inspect your roof for any signs of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages by using a Tacoma Roofer

However top quality the roof may be, it will eventually wear down over time. There are shingles that are known as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are just related to warranty produced by the makers. They seldom require that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles won't last more than fifteen to twenty years. Within an area that is prone to storms, shingles or the entire roof may need to be replaced every 10 years. Having a Tacoma Roofing company, the cost will be lower than what you believe.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing contractor will be able to help you. Damaged shingles can result in indoor leaks, since the substrate of the roof becomes exposed to the sun and rain. Shingles which are loose or broken can slip off and pose a potential hazard to people standing below. Missing shingles produce a gap that allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to build up underneath the adjoining shingles, which creates a "domino effect" that affects other shingles plus they become loose or broken. A thorough investigation is going to be produced by your local Tacoma Roofing company, should you call them up with your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.

Your Tacoma Roofing contractor come in a situation to tell you what are the smartest choice is perfect for your roof. In case your roof isn't in a good shape, it is advised you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofing contractor may take you through the various roofing possibilities to you which will fit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Enhancing your Home's Efficiency

Your homes roof shelters you from storms, sleet, and hail. By giving adequate ventilation, your roof protects your home from overheating, by holding in the heat, it keeps your home warm. That's why you need to prepare your roof from indoors as well as outdoors for just about any sort of weather emergency. A Qualified Tacoma Roofer can provide help in this situation.

To begin with, inspect your roof thoroughly for just about any and all kind of damage, prior to the beginning of the new season. The gutters ought to be clear, debris shouldn't be piled on or trapped under shingles, tthere shouldn't be homes of squirrels or birds within the eaves or attic, and the roof ought to be structurally sound. For your last part, you'll need the help of the local Tacoma Roofer. It can be quite dangerous to climb to the roof of your house. This is when the contractor from Tacoma Roofer comes in. He'll read the strength and security of your roof and shingles, and do a general inspection of the entire roof structure, to make sure that it is in proper working order. They'll be in a position to point towards issues that you have to keep close track of and problems you may not have spotted.

You'll need all the help you can get from the Tacoma Roofer. You can help your roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to help prevent debris from forming in your gutters. The additional weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and can even tear them down. Check the fasteners in your gutters and if they're loose, tighten them. Do something to alter worn screws and brackets. If you have a chimney in your house, inspect the bricks and mortar signs of wear. A trusted mason can be recommended by your Tacoma Roofing company, if you will find any repairs to become done.

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Someone You Can Count On
In the event that you realize or suspect that there's a problem, your Tacoma Roofing contractor should be contacted. They can use their knowledge and expertise to get your house in ace condition by simply focusing on the roof. Your roof deserves attention. So give them a call today, so that they can get down to working on your roof.

 

What is Difference Between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are considering hiring a roofing company to re roof your home or building then you may be wondering what are the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To begin with, the main one huge difference is usually that times an industrial roofing company may have signed a contract with and be obligated to a roofing union in able to work on union commercial jobs.

If this is the situation then their labor costs will prohibit them from focusing on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if a commercial roofing company hasn't signed an agreement having a union they might be outfitted just for commercial jobs and that means that their workers and equipment might not be consistent with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors in general often run smaller companies and hence, tend to be more in a position to bid competitively on residential jobs, which are usually smaller than comercial jobs. In fact, quite often residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, where the contractor that you simply talk to may be the one that actually does the job about the building.

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more expensive along with a larger bond is required for any commercial roofing work which will make it not cost effective for any commercial roofer to complete residential roofing jobs.

Still an additional factor is the fact that commercial jobs can run on tighter time frame for just about any number of reasons, requiring an industrial contractor to employ a larger crew or crews which again makes smaller jobs less profitable on their behalf.

 

Difference Between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Did you know that the rooftop of a building includes a huge impact on the entire structure itself? Damage caused to roofs because of natural or other disasters leads to a considerable lack of property everywhere. The kind of materials used to construct the roof which should be sturdy and long lasting, the way where the roof continues to be installed as well as its timely maintenance are extremely crucial. There's two types of roofs which are utilized on all the buildings that we see around us: commercial and residential. Although it may seem that commercial roofing is performed only for businesses or offices and residential roofing is done for apartments and houses, in reality the differences are much more complicated than that.

Residential roofing is generally completed just by one hired contractor but commercial roofing usually takes a whole team to complete the job. This is because a commercial roof tends to be larger in terms of square feet than the usual residential roof.
Commercial roofs need to be made carefully keeping the character and purpose of the building in mind. For instance, when there is a cafe or restaurant in the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes is going to be required. Residential roofs tend not to have such components apart from a chimney or two at most.
Commercial roofs tends to be flat in design to accommodate further changes at a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks and other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is a lot more expensive than residential roofing because of the special tools, materials and safety equipment that are needed onsite. Often the patching or maintenance work is done in segments unlike for any residential roof where the repair or replacement work can be carried out a short while. This is another reason why the gear employed for residential roofs is usually smaller and less expensive as well.
Commercial roof installations have a longer time to complete compared to residential roof installations and therefore are usually constructed in large sections. During this phase however, you should ensure that there are no leakages, cracks or any other visible wear and tear signs as it can certainly cause considerable damage to the whole building.
You should install the right roof for any building depending on its purpose. Make sure that you hire a construction company that utilizes first class materials and has the right equipment for the job or neglect the may turn out to be considered a huge loss later.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractors: How to purchase a Qualified Commercial Roofing Company

If a business is looking to have work done on its roof, it is important to use commercial roofing contractors which have an enthusiastic knowledge of any special needs that a business may have. As an example, a roofing job is often disruptive for that operation of business as always. Because of this, it might be essential for the business to become temporarily shut down, or for the roofing to take place after business hours have ended. A roofing contractor that understands these needs can function plus a business to make certain these types of issues are minimized.

First of all , a company must do when it's searching for commercial roofing contractors is to find out who other businesses in the area are working through. Obviously, this article 't be helpful whether it may come as a suggestion from competitors, but you will find circumstances by which it's not too hard to find these details from suppliers or retailers. Since roofing is not an industry-specific service, this information is easily available.

It is a wise decision for just about any business to get in touch with a minimum of three commercial roofing contractors to create bids on the price. In this manner, the business could get a better price. It is also vital that you make sure that each of the roofing contractors is licensed and bonded. This information can be found by getting in touch with the state contractor's board. This also assists you to determine whether there have been any claims filed from the company in the past.

When looking at bids, it is just as vital to look at what services are now being offered and which products is going to be used because it is to look at the total cost. The prices can differ quite drastically, but as tempting as it can be to go for the lowest bid, this is not always your best option. Oftentimes, more costs now means fewer costs in the long run as a result of a poor roofing job. To help investigate the caliber of the work, it is a good idea to check using the Bbb to be able to find out if the business continues to be accredited, and when it has not, to at least see what its rating is.

 

Picking out a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When you are looking for a roofer for your commercial roofing project you need to find a contractor who understands the special needs of the commercial roofing project. For example it can be harder to operate on a business during business hours so either the company has to be shut down for that repair or replacement or even the job has to be done after conventional business hours. Is the roofer you are thinking about for the job ready to operate around your schedule constrictions that might involve working weekends or evenings?

When you start your search for a roofing contractor not only do you need to answer those questions however, you also want to hire a company which will do a high quality job without a lot of time delays. Going about finding someone can seem as an obstacle in itself but there are some ways to result in the search easier.

Ask friends and family for referrals and try to find at least three contractors to give you written bids in your job. Prior to going any more you need to ensure that the contractors you are thinking about are fully licensed and bonded. A simple search with the state contractor's board will verify in case your roofer is licensed and if you will find any past judgments or claims against their license.

When you select three or four roofers to put bids, you need to prepare yourself for that bids to become widely varied. Roofers may have brand preferences which will vary and may factor in more or less compared to next guy for a labor estimate. The more detailed an itemized bid may be the more helpful it will likely be to focus on where the cost will be incurred. Don't, however, pick a roofer based solely on the bid price. Any low ball bids might be tempting to consider, but when they're low due to low quality workman ship it might not be worth it ultimately.

As the saying goes, you generally get what you pay for, if you can afford a mid-priced bid it's always a good idea to go up in your price range rather than down. You also should select your roofer based on how professional they were and how comfortable you anticipate you will be dealing with them.

Finally your cost will vary based on which kind of roofing material you choose as well as the cost to haul your old roof towards the landfill. Should you be looking for places to cut corners in your roof, rather than cutting labor set you back might want to ask about a metal roof option. Metal roofs could be cost effective and efficient making them overall money savers for that long term, as well as on commercial buildings they may be really low maintenance. Plus given that they can be placed along with a current roof, you don't need to have the old one removed and hauled away, which can make a big effect on your cost.

Choosing a comerical roofing company in your local area, doesn't have to become a difficult task. For more information, visit http://www.vancouverroofers.net

 

Seattle Roofing Companies - How To Find The Best

In your home of rain and sleet, commercial coffee and grunge, and the famous space needle, you can find a home which will suit you. Seattle, Washington can be a great place to construct a home, however, you need Seattle roofing contractors to help you out. Your roof is, after all, the crowning glory of your house, and your strongest line of defense against the elements. You must have something that isn't just built to last, but created to attract making your house more beautiful

Harsh Weather

How come roofing contractors so important within this part of the country? Because Seattle is usually bombarded by rain along with other harsh weather conditions, you need a roof that may withstand all of the forces of nature. With this thought, you'll need individuals who know the Seattle weather best, and who know what materials can best go into your homes roof for it to last far longer in the region. On top this, you need to blend with the remainder from the houses in your living area, so you cannot simply get whatever roof you please.

In all these aspects, a Seattle roofing contractors should be able to assist you. All you need to do is search for Seattle roofing contractors online so that you can obtain the best value for your money without wondering when the contractor will suddenly run away with it and then leave you roof-less.

Why the Contractor Model Works

If you wish to put up your homes roof on your own, you will have to buy a whole lot of materials, secure permits and licenses, and obtain materials that are suited to keep you safe against harsh extremes of Seattle weather. Which means that if you are a DIY sort of guy or gal, you'll have to undergo a large amount of legwork in order to get the task done.

On the other hand, a Seattle roofer can perform all the jobs for you personally and provide a package that may save you time and money. Because contractors operate under licenses and purchase materials in bulk, they can get discounts on building materials that you would not otherwise get should you be buying merely for your own home.

Roofing Associations

Most roofing contractors also belong to roofing organizations that are bound by strict guidelines and standards. When they do well on the roofing job, they are able to showcase their roofing contractors association; if they do poorly, they are able to ruin the reputation of their roofing contractors association and keep other contractors inside the association from getting good roofing jobs. There is lots of pressure to complete well, to help you be reassured that prefer a roofing job done in Seattle, you can aquire a contractor from a roofing association to help you out.

For instance, Seattle Roof Brokers operates with more than 500 roofing contractors within the Puget Sound. This group has over half a century of roofing experience and experience dealing with Seattle roofing contractors, so it will know what kind of roofing you would like. The rooftop Brokers group can put you in contact using the contractor that you need so that you don't have to search for contractors individually.

What In the event you Demand from Your Contractor?

Whenever you finally get a contractor within the Seattle area, you need to do a lot of background research about the roofing contractors themselves. Ask for a summary of previous companies or persons the contractor worked with in order to get a clear view of the roofing contractor's work ethics and roof quality. Your roofer should also possess the appropriate working licenses and city licenses needed by the Seattle city government.

Select a Seattle roofing contractors that insures its employees, and that has courteous workers who will respect your opinions and make sure that your needs are met. Make sure that you obtain the best value for your money: if you are not satisfied using the job, you have to be guaranteed either money-back, or perhaps a free, new roof. Moreover, additionally you need the workers to find the job done promptly, so be strict with your deadlines - and find a contractor that is as strict as you are.

You need guarantees and warranties in your roof, so locate a contractor that may meet your budget and roofing needs. If you achieve in touch with good Seattle roofing contractors, you can be guaranteed a great roof along with a better house in this fantastic city.

Selecting the Right Roofing Contractor Company for Replacing Your homes roof

The shingles in your roof need replacing and you're simply minded to find a roofer to replace the them. Perhaps you have already known as a few and therefore are evaluating which contractor to use for your upcoming roof repair. How can you select the best contractor for caring for your roof? Listed here are a number of things you should consider when looking for the best roofer.

Where is the roofer located? You should hire a roofer that is local. Chances are you will receive a higher level and services information when the roofing company can be found near your home or has an office near your residence.
References. To determine the reliability of the contractor, references ought to be provided of their past clients who are willing to vouch that excellent service was received. This will not be the only real element in choosing your future roofing contractor as some may claim they value the privacy of their clients and do not desire to bother them. If this sounds like the case, ask for business related references. The locations that supply the contractor with supplies can reveal the quantity of materials and regularity of supplying the contractor to assist determine their stability.
How does the roofer company handle complaints? There are a large number of issues that can arise during the progress of a roofing replacement. Ask what their process is perfect for handling complaints if they arise. It is also a great idea to get a past client reference who had a complaint that was resolved to the satisfaction from the client.
The payment schemes. Do you know the terms of payment to do the job? What is the deposit and amount due upon completion? Even though it is certainly reasonable that the substantial payment be made before a contractor begins work on a project, it is highly recommended that full payment isn't made until after the entire job is finished.
Written contract. All terms of the roofing replacement ought to be place in a written contract. No the main contracting job should depend on verbal assurances.
Bonding. There are things that can go wrong with roofing installations that wind up costing quite a bit of money to repair. If this happens in your roofing replacement, you will feel a great deal better knowing that your roofer is bonded. This will provide the funds to fix whatever mistakes were made. Find a roofer that is bonded.
Manufacturer Warranty. Quality materials for roofing typically come with a warranty. It is important to verify that there's actually a warranty on the materials being installed. Request a copy of the warranty.
Period of time running a business Just how long has got the company you are interviewing been in business? A short amount of time in business may reflect instability. If the contractor has been around business under three years, verify how long they have been in the industry. A brand new contractor may have many years experience focusing on roofs before they form their very own business. Seek a business that has been around for 3 or more years, or where the contractor has already established many more years performing roofing replacements. It can should not be the only factor, all of us have to start sometime. Balance this with referrals and the other points raised in the following paragraphs.
Appropriate Permits. A Seattle roofing contractor ought to know what permits are needed for fixing your roof. They must be conscious of how to obtain these permits on your behalf. Ask the contractor whether they will obtain the permits essential to repair the roof.
Liability. If your worker becomes injured, who's accountable for the workers comp? When the contractor's equipment damages your house, who is liable for the repairs? A good contractor will provide certificates of insurance for liability and workers comp before they begin fixing your roof.
Subcontractors. Verify if the contractor is going to be using subcontractors. If so, it is strongly advised that everything contained within this article for verifying if the contractor is credible also needs to be relevant to subcontractors. You need to receive the names and license numbers of all subcontractors. You need to verify whether each subcontractor is also insured which means you aren't held liable for their accidents.
Pending Legal Actions. You should verify whether there are any legal actions against the contractor. This is not merely essential for verifying whether the roofing company is legitimate (credible roofing companies should not have to defend themselves in the court), it is also important because a lost lawsuit might lead to the contractor to visit bankrupt. For those who have designed a substantial deposit for services immediately prior to the company goes bankrupt, you can lose many thousands of dollars and never have your roofing completed.
Material Disposal. Who's accountable for getting rid of the waste generated from the roof being replaced? Will your contractor handle all aspects of the? Can there be one more cost for getting rid of this waste?
NRCA Membership. Membership in local or national roofing associations, like the NRCA, shows resolve for staying up to date with the most effective methods for roof replacement and maintenance. Find a roofer having a high standard of education regarding their trade.
Replacing your homes roof is a significant investment. It makes sense to ask serious questions before working with a roofing contractor. Here are some more tips that you should consider when selecting the very best roofer for your upcoming roofing replacement.

Payment. Don't make a full payment for services unless all work is finished.
Inspection. Do not make a full payment without doing a final inspection of all services rendered.
Workers liens. Don't fully pay for the roofing replacement job until worker's lien releases happen to be obtained.
Oral Agreements. No agreement should be made verbally without backing up on paper. All points that are vital that you you ought to be made in writing.

 

To your SEO needs, you can check out Vancouver web site design and Vancouver Seo agency

There is no denying the internet is among the most biggest financial market nowadays. Practically everything is anchored on the web. Up to now, there are other than 182 million sites online but still counting. If each one of these websites offers the possiblility to make money, just think of the limitless opportunities that may be perfectly located at the internet. Moreover, using the emergence of sites, the need for internet hosting and Search| Engine Optimization is significantly defined.

Search engine marketing is actually the operation of increasing the visibility of your web site. Therefore, if you want your web site being visible to visitors, you should seek for Seo agency. The optimization strategy considers how search spiders work and what people usually and what keywords they'll use. The primary objective of Search engine optimization is making internet sites visible browsing sites through the natural or organic way.

Search optimization or natural search engine marketing is really a saying used in describing unpaid, algorithm-driven connection between any particular engine. Put simply, organic SEO uses natural strategies in achieving search engine results ranking. While there's two camps with which search optimization companies may fall to, and these are the 'White Hat' and also the 'Black Hat', organic SEO would not belong to the 'Black Hat' camp.

Organic search engine optimization is really a highly specialized and complex practice which can literally dictate the failure or success of the internet business. Since search sites often modify their algorithms, organic SEO isn't very easy at all. When search bots modify their algorithms, factors that allow your internet site to look before potential clients are drastically changed too. Thus, so that you can deal using these changes, SEO tactics and methods has to be employed.

It is always ethical to use search engines engine optimization since search sites nowadays are becoming extremely advanced they can easily determine whether a web site is wanting to control their search indexes. Thus it is empirical to make use of seo practices which are completed in wherein appear natural.

The approaches utilized by organic search engine optimization and artificial SEO are really significantly different. Basically, organic SEO uses content in comparison to artificial SEO's technical loopholes. Moreover, natural search engine marketing provides attracting links instead of linking schemes employed by artificial SEO. Natural SEO also creates valuable resource contrary to artificial SEO's algorithm chasing. With all of these, it's possible to clearly see why search engines engine optimization is better than artificial search engine optimization. Even though latter could be harder and complicated, it makes favorable results which are very theraputic for any site. Fortunately, there are tons of Vancouver SEO companies today offering the organic method in affordable rates and packages.

Search engine marketing Appears in this area

There was a time when search engine optimization was actually not required.

Whilst late as a decade ago, should you developed a Web site anywhere, Google indexed it and you also gained visibility in their search results. Your page might have been within the free "estates" where anybody could put in a page and Google didn't mind. It may also have been a pure affiliate page without original content and Google still indexed it.

Situations are unrecognizably different now.

Affiliate pages with "cookie-cutter" content duplicated everywhere might never make it to the Google index; the same fate is likely for anyone pages you add in on a free-for-all website. And also "proper" websites with your personal domain name did not achieve visibility on the list of proliferating sites in millions.

These wouldn't normally have mattered, with the exception of one thing. It absolutely was Google that provided the bread and butter for your millions of small enterprises which could not afford expensive marketing campaigns. If the site was on the list of top few sites the appeared before a searcher's eyes when that individual looked for your product, you got hundreds and also a large number of visitors, many of whom even bought your products.

Search engine marketing (SEO) entered the scene. Search results specialists "reverse-engineered" to identify the factors that Google consider for showing websites at the top of its search engine results pages. These factors were then consciously included in your internet pages with the aspiration that Google can have your internet site among the first ten results it showed around the first page.

Weight loss of your competitors adopted search engine optimization practices, things became difficult again. Your role began to slip if your competitors did the SEO better. SEO battles became serious fights with every dirty trick working.

There was "black hat" SEO practitioners who showed one page to search engines and the other to human visitors. As search engines weren't bothered with readability, you can fill the "search engine" page with pure gibberish, but gibberish written in wherein the engine dutifully indexed high.

A war of wits followed between unscrupulous SEO practitioners and search engines. Google changed its ranking algorithms regularly to be effective around practices that allowed low value content to seem at the top of its serp's. In the end, Google's success leaned on providing value to searchers, not merchants. And SEO practitioners created new tricks.

We will examine search engine optimization inside a group of articles, beginning having an beauty at on-line or Internet marketing.

 

To your SEO needs, you can check out vancouver web site design and Vancouver SEO company.

 

Cedar Roofing: Benefits

Cedar shakes are only about the most great looking shakes on the market today. Frequently designed from red-colored cedar about the coniferous forests of northwestern United States, they're just the best roofer materials for proprietors preferring supplying his / her roofs an organic look.

Unique cedar shingles are naturally resistant against the sun and rain, that's the key answer why cedar shingles are widely-used generally around various climatic conditions. They're generally available in a few specific qualities. At least one may be the shingle made out of red cedar even though the other is produced out from the bright white variety. Red cedar shakes are designed from tight-grained particles which might be previously saturated with tannic acidity that experts say is definitely an all-natural additive. Red cedar shingles which might be dipped in creosote to avoid corrosion and so are desirable to homeowners given that they give a rich and unique look to one's property or home.

It is critical to note that red cedars usually change dark-colored if exposed continuously to seaside weather. As a result, sea side homes need white cedar shakes. Red cedar shingles are usually a much more expensive in comparison to white cedar types, even though cost factor doesn't diminish its reputation in anyhow. They could be preferably well suited for classic Colonial houses while white cedar shingles seem to be image ideal for bungalows and bungalows which have been built-in Nantucket design.

Through the years, classic cedar shakes have mislaid in a spot to synthetic shingles that emulate the cedar appear. Superior systems are utilized to make these kinds of shingles have a for a longer period life-span in comparison to unique cedar shingles. Most include advanced UV inhibitors and possess about 5 decades of steady guarantee. These shingles in many cases are great insulators and several superior ones provide a chilly inside during summer season along with a warmer inside during harsh winters.

Cedar shakes, mostly accessible in honey, cinnamon, and silvery gray colors, need several quantity of repairs and maintenance. They might require initial treatment method before installation. White cedar shakes for example, might be addressed with bleaching oil which must be done almost every six to seven years to enhance their durability.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are generally CCA treated or otherwise not CCA treated. CCA represents chromated copper arsenate. CCA is a chemical that stops the increase of mold, mold and fungus so it assists in keeping insects from eating away your own personal wonderful cedar roof. CCA cedar will make your homes roof keep going longer, but CCA is NOT A hearth TREAMENT. Cedar which has been fire treated can be obtained, however your roofing company must special order it. CCA treated cedar shingles cost 15 - 20% a lot more than non-CCA cedar. Most cedar roofs are often not CCA treated.

Cedar shakes and cedar shingles are wonderful, and they're additionally a good purchase. Information of terms for example CCA, advanced quality, # 1, blue label and black label will assist you to pick the right cedar roof for your personal home.

Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC provides more information about shingles, cedar shakes, fiberglass shakes plus more. Elite Roofing & Small remodels, LLC is associated with the National Roofers Association.

Discover more about cedar shingles, and acquire more articles and resources about cedar shakes at cedar roofing materials and shakes website.

 

Cedar Shingle Roof Vs Asphalt Shingle Roof

A cedar shingle roof remains highly coveted by homeowners. It really is one of the oldest roofing products which has always been constantly in use within the centuries. Around new roofing materials remain developed, cedar shakes still endear themselves to a lot of. Below can be a comparison research into the cedar roof versus an asphalt roof.

Pros of Cedar Roofing shingles

Cedar shakes bring about far better air flow within the whole house. The shingles permit the where you can breathe well without trapping moisture around. It will help to keep the dwelling of the home in good shape for extended. Cedar Shakes are durable and strong. They enjoy a greater resistance to bugs. A cedar shingle roof will stand up well on the various weather onslaughts. Storms, hurricanes, powerful winds and flying debris will barely damage the top of your cedar roof. Along with matures beautifully with the passing years, making it much more desirable. A cedar roof adds a distinct charm to your dwelling. Cedar is instantly obtainable in lumber yards and doesn't require a large amount of expertise or specialized tools to put in.

Cons of Cedar Shakes

If rot begins, choosing compelled to alter the entire lot. It is not easy extracting merely the affected pieces. They may happen to be nailed down in a manner that each elimination proves difficult. Cedar Shingles don't last well to constant wetting. Living within an area where rainfall is heavy or frequent, cedar shingles aren't a great choice. Frequent wetting causes mold or mildew to set in. Replacement and repair could be a costly business. Your better protection against constant wetting would be to use wide overhangs. Also, if the home is shaded by many trees or nearby buildings, cedar shingles have a tendency to develop mold. You'll be compelled to change them prior to you planned. Cedar Shingles tend to be flammable than asphalt shingles. Many areas possess a building code set up that restricts cedar shingles to minimize the danger of fire. To create a cedar shake roof, you'll want your allowance concerning the higher side. Frequent maintenance may also be necessary to keep your roof in good shape. Mildew and rot are ever-constant threats to some cedar roof.

Pros of Asphalt Shingle Roof

An asphalt roof is one of the least expensive to buy and install. They are available in various designs and colours, including an ordinary, flat consider a 3-dimensional look. Asphalt shingles have a superior capacity fires unlike cedar roofing. An asphalt roof can certainly lessen the risk of fires due to flying embers. Asphalt roofs are easier and cheaper to put in than cedar. They're also low maintenance roofs.

Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roof

Algae is a lot more prone to grow on asphalt roofing than cedar shingles. It causes the top to develop somewhat with the stain which spoils the appearance. You may get an anti-algae coating carried out your asphalt shingles but this increases the cost. When it comes to stability, an asphalt roof is a lot more probably be blown off by strong winds compared to a cedar roof.

Uncover more about cedar roof shingles, and obtain more articles and resources about cedar roofing shakes at cedar roofing materials and shakes website.

 

How to find Good Vancouver Search engine optimization

The amount of online businesses and e-commerce websites is actually continuously on the rise because everyone knows that it may bring in lots of earnings. It's additionally caused another sort of providers that assist companies in achieving their set goals and which makes them develop. Amongst fundamental essentials Vancouver SEO services; since the Search engine optimization market is fairly young you will find that any kind of Search engine optimization Vancouver company won't be more than a decade aged. But you can be assured that they actually understand what they need to caused by get a company developing.

If your business depends on the web to obtain people to your site and also to get conversions, you certainly need help in search motor optimisation or SEO as it is more commonly recognized. When people put a search within their preferred search engine, the most most likely matches arrive at the very top. If you want to draw visitors to your website or even online business, you need to go ahead and take help of the Vancouver SEO company to obtain up of those search results. The actual Search engine optimization Vancouver services supplied will be well worth the cash spent and you will be viewing the results shortly after.

However, attaining a top rank on the internet may not always be an easy task and more so if yours is an extremely competitive business which they frequently refer to as a market. It is no wonder then that you need all the assist that exist. If you don't possess the response to "What is SEO?Inch you will want in order to very first understand the topic. But your smartest choice is to depart the task to those who realize it greatest; the actual SEO Vancouver professionals in the Vancouver SEO company. You will have to shell out some money however, you will reap the actual benefits as time pass.

The actual Search engine optimization Vancouver experts will begin upon keyword research which is usually the starting place associated with Search engine optimization. You should know the kind of phrases or even key phrases that potential customers will be typing in to Search engines to get to your site. The Vancouver Search engine optimization company is going to do this particular tiresome task for you because they possess a much better idea about how individuals start their own queries. A person, on your part have to provide them with a much better understanding about your company plus some fundamental keywords on which they'd perform their study.

If your SEO marketing campaign begins with keywords choice, then its link building that feeds search engine optimization; worthwhile Vancouver SEO company can help you understand. The optimal way for your site to rank higher for a provided key phrase is to have a great backlink building technique created for it. The trick would be to depart your hyperlink upon high ranked web sites. The actual Search engine optimization Vancouver professionals will tell you that the most typical method of carrying this out is to publish content articles containing the required key phrases in the proper proportion to article directory sites along with links back aimed at your website within the resource box.

So what have you been waiting for? Go ahead and take help of the Vancouver SEO company the following; the actual SEO Vancouver experts will make your business grow so that you can reap greater earnings.

 

Reliable Search engine optimization For Your Business in Vancouver

Expert sophisticated Vancouver SEO services enable you to come in the very best list of the actual search leads to attract traffic. Furthermore, the visitors associated with organic outcomes is going to be eager to purchase items and these providers will end up being useful when you are your company.

You'll need Search engine optimization Vancouver to benefit your business through helping you to make the most visibility from the search engine as well as therefore getting more visitors to your web website. By using search engine rankings, these services may immensely help your internet website get in touch with the world of individuals being able to access web and thus, drawing more and more traffic to your web site. When the web site has begun producing traffic to it, your business may reap advantages as the web site will become probably the most retrieveable on the top search engines like google.

An organization requirements such providers since the Search engine optimization experts possess the basic understanding and knowledge of how you can get it done. A person since the webmaster can spend some time on the internet dealing with weblogs, discussion boards, along with other supplies. However, you need to concentrate on additional facets of your web site as well as Search engine optimization professionals focus almost all their initiatives upon Search engine optimization since this is the things they're doing greatest.

The Search engine optimization businesses promise to increase more traffic for your site on a regular basis giving you an guarantee that after individuals search for products or services, your internet website comes on the top of most sought after search engines like google such as Google, Google, MSN and AOL.

In other words, to enhance web visitors and visibility, it is vital that the website ought to get updated constantly. The process of seo isn't a one-time attempt. A successful Search engine optimization support includes marketing, position, web site marketing, hyperlink trades and many more. To be able to hold the modifications in order to SEO methods and techniques every day, expert SEO services preserve skilled and technically experienced Search engine optimization specialists, web site designers, copy writers, SEO editors, advertising specialists and project supervisors.

An expert as well as result-oriented seo support consists of the following:
. Study and statement pre-optimization position
. Search phrase selection as well as optimisation
. Competitors evaluation report
. Description of labels
. Designed link web page creation
. Optimization associated with images
. Keyword-rich content material creating
. Search engine optimization copy writing
. Link strategies
. Code
. Internet search engine submissions

SEO businesses also provide the actual service of keyword research. These types of businesses will appear at the customers' web sites as well as their competitors and will look for suitable keywords. These people follow the best methodology that will make sure on the internet presence as well as publicity.

Now, let us mention the benefits that will help a good organization's site reach the top of the search engines.
• Personalized SEO solution
• Long-term best rankings in search motors
• Higher web site traffic an internet-based sales
• Worldwide business protection
• Corporate business identity
• Suggestions for business development
• Follow-up service
• Optimum returns