Traditional web design has it that the most important information and action buttons should appear “above the fold” – ie on the area of the screen that the user sees without having to scroll down the page – although we have seen research that appears to contradict this thinking. Nonetheless, it makes good sense to present as much as possible to the user without requiring them to make any effort. It’s also good practice to keep your text short and snappy.

Now Google is offering advertisers the chance to ensure your Adword adverts appear above the fold.

As they say, With a host of different web browsers, monitor sizes, and screen resolutions, it’s hard to predict where an ad will land, since the same placement may appear differently on each user’s screen. Filtering out below the fold impressions gives you greater control over where your ads appear..

If that sort of detail sounds like a step too far for you, it’s perhaps just one more reason why you might want to outsource your Search Engine Optimisation and Google Adwords to us. We are happy to tweak away at options like this until you get the very best possible results.

Clearly the big news this week has been the launch of Apple’s iPad in the States – we in the UK will have to wait a little longer, unless you are fortunate enough to be able to pop over there to buy one.

Already, Google is announcing specific iPad functionality (for its email product, gMail), and Yahoo has jumped right in with a tailor-made entertainment app.

If the big boys are sitting up and taking notice like this, what does it mean for smaller fry? Well, they undoubtedly see a future for the ‘tablet’ style of computer. It’s true that where Apple leads, others follow: just look at the host of touchscreen phones that came in the wake of the iPhone.

No need to redesign your website specifically for the iPad, though, we’d say. The iPhone itself made it easy to navigate through websites that hadn’t been optimised for small-screen viewing, with the ability to scroll around the screen and zoom in on specific areas. The iPad has the same functionality but a proportionally larger screen, making navigation even easier.

Word is, though, that this device (which it is largely envisaged will be used in the home) will greatly increase the popularity of the app (short for application). We’ve talked before on this blog about how a great app can bring users back to your site and improve customer loyalty. If that’s something you’ve considered in the past, you may wish to give it even more thought for the arrival of the iPad in Britain.

A couple of weeks ago, Google Streetview finally rolled out for most places across the UK. It was a cue for us all to virtually ‘walk’ down the same roads we actually traverse every day in real life – well, it’s the novelty factor, isn’t it?

Since then, we’ve all been finding ways in which it will make our lives easier: checking out holiday destinations, ‘visiting’ houses for sale, and casing out new neighbourhoods before visiting them.

One thing we’ve noticed is how information from Google maps dovetails neatly with its 3D incarnation. Thus, if your premises are marked on Google Maps, they will also be on Streetview. Yes, another reason to make sure your shopfront is looking spruce!

More seriously, it’s also another reason to make sure your Google Maps listing is also looking spruce. We’ve mentioned before how listings can now include photographs, opening times, and user reviews. With each new innovation, Google will see more visitors. This recent launch will have had users flocking to see their towns – and, quite possibly, your listing. Time to get it in order!