Last weekend I finally convinced myself to buy an iPad, after a few weeks of trying to figure out if I actually needed one.
I know I’m not the only one – and there’s probably a lot of people in the search industry who are currently contemplating the same decision, so I’m sure you’ll appreciate a few extra reasons you convince yourself that an iPad is essential!
1) How do you advertise on an iPad?
This is a question I was asked last week. The right answer may be that they don’t need an iPad app and they don’t need to think about marketing any differently just yet. But as a search marketer you should be aware and able to respond to your client, letting them know how the iPad may potentially change the game.
2) Why doesn’t your clients great flash-based site not convert as well on an iPad?!
The popularity of the iPad so far is incredible, you need to make sure users can browse clients (and your own) website in the same way they would normally.
3) Tweetdeck
Twitter is now essential for most SEM’s. Tweetdeck on the iPad is so much better than using a phone, so when you’re at home or on the train it’s far easier to use – and it saves booting up your laptop. It’s also makes it much easier when tweeting from conferences, instead of carrying around a laptop or slowly typing away on a phone.
4) Google Analytics app
Without Flash, Google Analytics isn’t quite as good on the web. So the Analytics app really helps here – very surprisingly AdWords doesn’t work very well at all on the iPad yet. I’m sure that’s something Google will be planning to fix quickly.
5) Email
I find the iPhone great for reading emails on the move, but it’s a bit too small to send long responses or to organise emails into folders. The iPad makes this much easier.
6) Amazon Kindle/iBooks
I’ve recently written a post on the top 12 books every SEM needs to read, it’s not always easy to have these available when you have a spare 20 minutes to read though. Using iBooks or the Amazon Kindle makes this far easier, removing the need to carry around a book. The Winnie the Pooh book was preloaded on the iPad – honest!
7) Reeder
I’ve found that I subscribe to and read blogs far less frequently these days. But by being able to star/share articles in Google Reader which I’m interesting in and coming back to read them later is really useful. There’s also the read it later app too, which I haven’t used yet but it does look to be very good.
8) Keynote
Don’t worry about taking your laptop to that client meeting for a presentation. Keynote on the iPad is far better!
9) Things
I’ve written before about the importance of organisation and GTD for a search marketer. Things is great for organising tasks and key projects, plus you can sync this across your Mac, iPhone and iPad – making it easier to stay up-to-date on the move.
10) Blogging
The WordPress app is a great way of writing blog posts when you’re not at your PC or laptop. Again, for us search engine marketers (SEM’s) it’s a great tool to use at conferences – making it easier to live-blog or type up notes.
11) A bonus reason – it’s pretty cool!
Watching HD YouTube videos, the BBC iPlayer and IMDB app film trailers is much better on the iPad – plus it’s a great way to read the newspaper on a Sunday morning!
So there you have it, no excuses now – you’re not just being an Apple addict and it’s a completely necessary part of your SEM toolkit!
I seriously appreciate it the effort you have put into this. Having said that, I’m still not convinced I can justify it for SEM purposes alone. Almost everything you mention can be done from netbook/iPhone combination. Would love someone to give me the killer excuse!
The best self-persuasion so far is believing it will be fantastic for my three yr old.
Thanks for a good looking and informative article showing all the different screen shots of the iPad. the latest stats is that in 80 days Apple has sold 3 million of the little darlin’s. Now just think what’s going to be possible with OS 4.0 Whoo hoo!
Hey, I’m reading your post on my new iPad on the train, and I’m in the search industry. Thanks for turning me on to the analytics and wordpress apps. Any other recommended apps?
WOW.. giving the perspective with almost perfect reason.. i doubt it before, but now im getting interested.. thx
Well done Kev, shame we couldn’t get one in Seattle! Good to see you now know why i was raving about it!
2 more reasons:
1. You can use it as FAN in tube
2. You can use for self defence, it is quite heavy
Are you suggesting in #2 that we should be avoiding flash now because Apple don’t like it? Tail wagging the dog?
Our MD reckoned the iPad he bought on the first day they were available here in the UK had paid for itself within a week; namely when he handed it to the marketing director at a potential client company because there weren’t enough printed presentations to go around… the guy loved it and bought the App!
PS Flash is dead; let’s move on.
Matt Davies, flash is dead.
Flash is clearly far from “dead” Serge and “app developer”, if that IS your real name.
As a SEM for Yacht Exports and Auto Shipping Network, the iPad has become essential on the move. The maps feature has been very useful visiting clients on their Yachts.
Presentations look stunning and nowadays it’s cool… always calls everyone’s attention. For logs and travel purposes, some apps are beautiful… Blog Posting, comfortable; media management, clear and neet; mailing and internet, fast and sharp.
I’m loving my iPad… Good set of excuses! LOL!
I think some features are still missing from the iPad like FaceTime with frontal camera, USB port and phone capabilities through hands free devices. Still, it is a great device with huge possibilities for developers and for marketing purposes. Mr. Johnson I can help you develop an app for the iPad for your car transportation clients.
This is finding a bit a lot more subjective, but I very much favor the Zune Market. The interface is colorful, has additional flair, and some cool capabilities like ‘Mixview’ that allow you rapidly see related albums, songs, or other end users linked to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will arrive into see, allowing you to navigate around exploring by equivalent artists, songs, or customers. Talking of end users, the Zune “Social” is also fantastic fun, letting you come across other individuals with shared tastes and becoming pals with them. You then can pay attention to a playlist made based on an amalgamation of what all your buddies are listening to, which is also satisfying. People involved with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personalized listening habits if you so opt for.
Even though flash is dead as some people would consider, I believe it will still be around for a good few more years.
iPad app developers are in demand today. It’s because of the substantial demand for iPad development these days.ipad gadgets are now very purchasable in market.