Technology Stories - April 2007
Ikea launching small business Web site
Ikea plans to launch an informational Web site in April called ikeabusiness.com for small business owners and plans to eventually expand the program overseas.
Shine Lamps unveils redesigned ShineEveryDay.com
Shine Lamps has launched a new Web site, www.shineveryday.com.
The site features new products, easier navigation, an updated dealer locator, and detailed, printable tear sheets for each product.
Electronics group ranks Sea Gull Lighting Web site most popular
Sea Gull Lighting, manufacturer of more than 3,500 decorative and functional lighting products, has been ranked the most popular electrical manufacturer web site on the Internet according to the National Association of Electronic Distributors.
Located at www.seagulllighting.com, Sea Gull Lighting’s web site consistently earned the NAED’s number one ranking among electrical manufacturers from February through December 2006. The NAED Technology Informer web site popularity rankings are based on aggregated monthly information offered by Google, Yahoo, MSN, and AltaVista providing a popularity benchmark for members of the electrical industry.
“We are happy to confirm that Sea Gull Lighting’s web site was the number one ranked affiliate site for the entire year of 2006,” said Michael Martin, Associate Publisher & Editor of TED Magazine, which manages the content for the NAED site. “This is unprecedented. Through the site, electrical industry web sites have been ranked on a monthly basis for more than five years, and during that time, no other site has consecutively remained in the top position like Sea Gull did in 2006.”
A two-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award winner, Sea Gull Lighting’s new site was updated in 2006 to provide homeowners, builders and design professionals with product descriptions and specifications as well as local dealer and showroom contact information. Broad-based educational content has also been inserted to highlight topics ranging from energy-efficient lighting benefits and dramatic effects of rail and linear systems to the answers to frequently asked questions and tips that provide insights into numerous lighting issues.
The content of frequently-visited pages related to the company’s educational program efforts, marketing and communications initiatives, and company background and history have also been updated to provide visitors with the latest news and happenings from one of the industry’s leading and most innovative lighting manufacturers.
NaturalAreaRugs.com offers realistic online image display
Natural Area Rugs, www.naturalarearugs.com, a source for natural fiber rugs, has unveiled a realistic image display system. This brings consumers and designers into the next generation of interior floor design with their website's new dynamic image display. Powered by zoomify.com, this new digital tool allows consumers to closely inspect intricate designs and patterns on natural fiber rugs such as sisal, seagrass, and wool that were previously difficult to discern.
To make the improved online display a reality, Natural Area Rugs' web designers removed all old rug images. These old images were replaced with high-resolution megapixel pictures that completely capture the beauty of each natural fiber rug.
Rugman.com donates to Katrina recovery efforts
Rugman.com marked Presidents’ Day in February by donating 5% of all sales Feb 19-25 to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. "What's especially exciting about the BCKF is while the needs (both immediate & future) of the Katrina survivors are being addressed, the incorporation of CCI (Clinton Climate Initiative), 22 cities working together to reverse Global Warming through the reduction of greenhouse gases, gives renewed hope for our future generations" said Farida, executive vice president of Rugman.com. Rugman.com generated $7,500 toward the long-term recovery effort in the Gulf.