Why Websites Now Ask Your Permission

The internet landscape has transformed in recent years. One noticeable change is the constant barrage of pop-up banners asking you about "cookie preferences."  This wasn't always the case. Let's delve into why websites  now seek your consent for these digital crumbs.

What are Cookies?

Before diving in, a quick refresher: Cookies are tiny data files websites store on your device. They act like memory joggers, remembering things like login details, preferred language, or items in your shopping cart. This enhances your browsing experience by streamlining future visits.

The Power of Data

However, cookies can also track your online activity across different websites, building a profile of your interests. This data is valuable to companies for various reasons:

• Targeted Advertising: Imagine seeing ads eerily similar to websites you recently visited? Cookies can track your browsing habits, allowing advertisers to target you with products or services relevant to your interests, potentially leading to more effective marketing campaigns.
• Website Improvement: Analyzing user behavior through cookies helps website owners understand how people navigate their platform. They can then optimize layouts, functionalities, and content based on user preferences.
• Personalization: Ever logged in to a website and found your preferred settings intact? Cookies remember these details, personalizing your experience.

The Rise of Privacy Concerns

As the power of cookies became evident, concerns about user privacy grew.  People questioned how extensively their data was being collected and used. This led to a shift in regulations around data collection and user consent.

A Turning Point: GDPR and E-Privacy Directive

A major turning point came with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union (EU) in 2016. The GDPR mandated websites to obtain informed consent from users before placing non-essential cookies on their devices.  This regulation emphasized user control over their personal data.

The EU's E-Privacy Directive, implemented alongside GDPR, further emphasized transparency regarding cookie usage.  These regulations didn't just apply to EU websites; any website serving EU citizens needed to comply.

The Global Impact

The impact of GDPR resonated beyond the EU. Many countries and regions began implementing similar data protection laws, or strengthening existing ones, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US.

The New Era of Cookie Consent

To comply with these regulations, websites started implementing cookie consent banners.  These banners inform users about the types of cookies being used (often categorized as essential, functional, analytics, and advertising) and request their consent for specific categories.

Why the Complexity?

The current system might seem cumbersome, with various cookie categories and options. This is partly due to the need to be transparent about data collection and give users granular control over their privacy.

The Road Ahead

The cookie consent landscape is still evolving.  Standardization efforts are underway to streamline the user experience. Additionally, new technologies are emerging that may  offer alternative ways to track user data while respecting privacy.

In Conclusion

The rise of cookie consent banners reflects a growing emphasis on user privacy and data protection.  While it may add an extra step to your browsing experience, it empowers you to choose how your data is used online.

A Scannable History: QR Codes in Marketing

I remember using QR Codes on printed newsletters way back in the early 2010s. Then, it seemed QR codes went away. But now they're back with a vengence. I recently came across this helpful article that recapped the QR Code timeline and thought I'd put my own thoughts to the topic.

QR codes, those enigmatic black and white squares, have had a fascinating journey in marketing. From niche industrial use to ubiquitous restaurant menus, their story is one of adaptation and a perfect fit for the mobile age.

Born from Efficiency (1994): Invented in Japan by Denso Wave for the automotive industry, QR codes (Quick Response codes) aimed to streamline parts tracking. Their advantage? Holding more data than traditional barcodes and being faster to scan.

Early Stumbles (1990s-2000s):  Adoption was slow. Limited scanner availability and a lack of mobile internet hindered widespread use. QR codes found some success in magazines for redirecting readers to websites, but the barrier to entry (downloading a scanner app) remained a hurdle.

The Smartphone Revolution (2000s): The rise of camera-equipped smartphones was a game-changer. Native scanning capabilities eliminated the app download friction. Marketers saw potential: embedding coupons, linking to social media profiles, or providing access to exclusive content.

Challenges and Evolution (2010s): Despite potential, QR codes faced challenges. Often poorly designed or placed, they offered unclear value propositions.  Additionally, a lack of tracking made measuring success difficult. However, QR codes continued to evolve, with dynamic codes allowing for real-time content updates and analytics tools measuring user engagement.

The Pandemic Push (2020s): COVID-19 became an unexpected QR code champion. Restaurants used them for contactless menus, businesses promoted them for product information, and contactless payments boomed with QR code integration. The pandemic highlighted the code's ability to bridge the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.

Pros of QR Codes:

• Measurability:Track scans, understand user demographics, and gauge campaign effectiveness.
• Versatility:  Direct users to websites, landing pages, social media, coupons, or even trigger actions like adding contacts.
• Cost-effective:  Free to generate and require minimal maintenance.
• Offline to Online Bridge:  Connect physical marketing materials to the digital world seamlessly.
• Enhanced Engagement:  Interactive and dynamic content keeps users interested.

Cons of QR Codes:

• Technical Barrier: Requires a smartphone with a camera and internet access. 
• Design Dependence: Poorly designed codes can be difficult to scan or lack a clear call to action.
• Security Concerns: Malicious QR codes can redirect users to phishing sites. 
• Limited Data Display: While information-dense, displaying too much data can overwhelm users.

Factors Enabling QR Code Ubiquity:

• Smartphone Penetration: The near-universal presence of smartphones with built-in scanners is a critical factor.
• Evolving Use Cases: QR codes have proven adaptable, finding new applications across industries.
• The Rise of Contactless Interactions: The pandemic accelerated the shift toward contactless solutions, perfectly aligning with QR code functionality.

The Future of QR Codes:

QR codes are likely here to stay. As technology advances, expect even more innovative applications. Integration with augmented reality could create interactive experiences, and secure authentication methods can address security concerns. Marketers who leverage QR codes strategically, creating clear value propositions and seamless user experiences, will be well-positioned to reap the benefits of this versatile technology. 

Outdoor Advertising in Dallas, Texas

Well, well, well…it’s the second post of 2018! And it’s not even Halloween yet!

I sincerely appreciate all of you that have checked in every day* looking for a new post. I knew that I would not be a very productive blogger this year but the creative juices started flowing during a recent trip to Dallas, Texas.

I’ve written about outdoor advertising before and it has remained a topic of interest. But after spending time in downtown Dallas, I realized a few things about this medium that I hadn’t previously considered.

I saw the following things in Dallas that I wouldn’t see as much in a city like Birmingham:

• Full bus wraps (mostly occupied by Dallas attorneys) 
• Street corner kiosks – see photos below 
• Building banners (and lots of ‘em) 

These observations prompted many thoughts, which I’ll share now.

WHY DO THESE OPTIONS WORK WELL IN DALLAS?

A city the size of Dallas has a lot to offer advertisers, including multiple cultures, as reflected in the brands claiming ad space there.

The volume of people in a city the size of Dallas all but guarantees impressions will easily reach the millions, no matter the format. That’s a nice feature to mention when selling ad space.

Downtown Dallas has many tall buildings and, whether or not a building is vacant, many of them feature windowless sides. Advertisers smartly made the most of these enormous canvases – I saw banners promoting everything from trucks to colleges to video games.

The audience and inventory make outdoor advertising work so well in Dallas.

WHAT IS FACEBOOK DOING??

These window overlays from Facebook really caught my attention.

A few questions here…

1. Are these ads intended for the 7 people out there that don’t already use Facebook? 
2. Or are these ads more about rehabbing Facebook’s image after questions about their data security practices? 

WHY WAS I IN DALLAS?

I was in Dallas to attend the State of Search conference. Each year, digital advertisers attend this event to hear from the industry’s leading thinkers.

State of Search is orchestrated very well by DFWSEM, a group of like-minded people with a desire help businesses and fellow advertisers in North Texas perfect the art of digital advertising.

I was really impressed with this conference – from the location (Gilleys!) to the speakers to the food! 

FINAL THOUGHTS ON DALLAS

• Dallas, there are portions of your downtown that could serve as a film location for a Black Hawk Down remake. 
• You are a leading-edge city in terms of transportation options (trolleys, buses, Uber) but there still seems to be A LOT of civilian traffic moving through your downtown streets. 
• Some users of the pay-to-ride scooters offer humorous moments on your rougher streets and sidewalks while other users exhibit extreme bravery by riding WITH fast-moving traffic. 

Post #2 of 2018 is in the books! Should I take it up to 3? Please comment below or let me know at @Nick_Baggett.

*These people don’t exist.

What New Skills Would I Apply at Past Jobs?

The years are starting to pass faster and faster but this old dog is still learning new tricks. I'm glad to have the opportunity to constantly add new skills (while gaining a better understanding of old skills).

It seems that each time I gain a new skill, I catch myself imagining how great it would have been to have that knowledge in the past. With that in mind, here are the 3 things I know now that would have gone a long way towards helping me perform better in past roles.

UTM PARAMETERS

In the past, I conducted a lot of email campaigns and always used Google Analytics to gauge the traffic produced by the emails to my employer's website. But, that was done a very high level. I now have a better understanding of how tagged URLs (aka UTM parameters) can provide very granular details about the clicks from a button, link, image, etc.

Using a URL builder is pretty self-explanatory but there are a lot of helpful videos on YouTube that explain how these types of URLs work.

PUT THE FINISH LINE ONLINE

Because of technology limitations, the customer journey for many of my past digital campaigns did not extend beyond a visit to a website. The call-to-action in search ads or banner ads was most often something along the lines of "click for more info". I now know the value of having an online "finish line" that will enable shoppers to carry out their purchase online.  Not only does this provide a more satisfying, productive experience, it also makes it possible for marketers to report all the way to the end of the shopping journey and show the impact of the digital campaign. Which leads me to my last point...

TARGETING AND TAGGING

I learned early on about the default targeting options associated with most digital tactics - such as geographic location, gender or age. I've since learned that online targeting capabilities can go much deeper...to scary levels, actually! In more recent roles, I've benefited from more precise targeting as well as tagging digital campaigns that help monitor ad performance from the beginning to the end of campaigns. To me, targeting and tagging go hand-in-hand.

I didn't write this post to knock my former employers or harp about how limited my knowledge used to be. The fact is that I continue to learn each day and I'm thankful to all of the people that have helped me along the way.