Google Places – Are You on THE Map?

Have you searched for yourself lately on Google Maps? If you own a business and you haven’t, you should.

Google Places is an area where Google aggregates what it can find about any given business into a single location: physical address, website, contact information, reviews, etc.

Consider it a separate area for searching. If you’re searching for a business type, Google will give results from the Places database first. For example, if you’re on your mobile device and search for the nearest restaurant, it’s going to find restaurants out of its Places database, rather than from the database of all websites. This way the user gets faster and more accurate results.

The Emerging Times defines the 2011 State of Advertising and Digital

The Emerging Times recently released a list of 20 intriguing bullets points that defines the current and emerging state of advertising and technology in 2011.

Read through some of the more inspiring, creative, and noteworthy aspects of the 2011 digital age below:

http://www.theemergingtimes.com/2011/01/thestateofadvertising2011.html

Keep Your Phone # and move to Google Voice… Maybe

Google finally formally announced phone number portability for Google Voice today.

Why is this important? Well, prior to this announcement usage of Google Voice required a user to get a new phone number‒something Google tried to have a bit of fun with by attempting to match up the phone number to your name (example: 207 222 PIER).

Google Voice as a real option for Small Businesses or Stand Alone Consultant types takes a big step forward with the announcement of their number portability feature.  Integration with GMail, Google Apps, easy online management of your account, and finally the ability to use your own number makes Google Voice a legitimate option for the modern business phone in today’s market.  Skype, Google Voice’s biggest competitor in the online computer calling arena, still does not have this functionality.  Something that is inherent with this feature is that you will cancel any existing wireless plan - and likely incur a termination fee from your wireless carrier for this change, so move with caution and your wallet out.  Google themselves will also charge you 20 bucks for the change.

Our favorite aspect of Google Voice is getting our voice mails translated to text and sent to us via email and text.  Really, who has that whole 30 seconds to check their messages nowadays?

Beware, some of the errors in the transcribed voice mails will induce laughter.  You have been warned.

First Pier is Growing, Smartypants People Need Apply

As we approach two years of being in business here in Portland, Maine, two things are extremely evident to us: there is a high demand for the premium quality of work and client care that First Pier provides, and finding the rare individuals who can deliver this unique blend of service is not easy.  While we haven’t minded the overtime, nights, and weekends when needed, we can finally say that we do need more great people to join us.

We Can See the Water From Here - First Pier Moves to the Old Port

We’ve been known to love a little hustle and bustle. Which is why we’re psyched to announce that First Pier Technology Partners has moved to the Old Port!