Google likes mobile optimised sites. What are you doing about it?

World Markets Korea, an online marketing company based in Seoul, Korea, has listed some of the criteria that Google now looks at in determining mobile-friendly sites.
The criteria include text size, the amount of space between links and whether the content fits across a mobile screen. After reviewing these areas Google will then decide if your site is 'Mobile Friendly', the company said.

Businesses should get their web designers to update their sites accordingly. World Markets Korea also offers mobile optimisation services.

As of April 21 2015 Google gives preference to what it refers to as 'Mobile Friendly' sites when ranking a website in its searches. The move reflects a growing interest in using mobile devices to surf the Internet. As far back as the first quarter of 2014 Ofcom Research had already noted that smartphones and tablets account for 52% of users surfing the internet. 

According to Statcounter, Asia has seen an increase from 27.1% in June 2013 to 41.3% in June 2014 in proportion of Internet access from mobile devices, a year on year increase of 52.3%. In Oceania the increase is from 21.7% in June 2013 to 29% in June 2014, a year on year increase of 33.6%. 

Want to know more?

Businesses can check compliance with Google's criteria on Google's 'Mobile Friendly' test page. 

Environmentally friendly GROHE smart water system growing in popularity in Asia

Source: GROHE. The GROHE Blue system in action.

The GROHE Blue smart water system has seen significant takeup in Asia since a May 2014 study* which found that its carbon footprint is smaller than that of bottled mineral water. 

Estimated greenhouse gas emissions were 17.96 g CO2-eq/litre for the GROHE Blue system against emissions of 70 to 600 g CO2-eq/litre for bottled mineral water, depending on the type of packaging and the place of origin. The values achieved by GROHE Blue are also lower than those of conventional water dispensers, which range from about 35 to 50 g CO2-eq/litre. This means that GROHE Blue allows users to save greenhouse gas emissions of at least 25 to 50% over other alternatives. 

The system supplies filtered and chilled water in three different variants - sparkling, medium and still - directly from the same custom kitchen faucet, allowing different users in an organisation to enjoy their preferred type of water at any time. Unlike typical office potable water arrangements, no bottles have to be filled, transported or recycled in order to obtain the three types of water from a GROHE Blue system, which adds to its environmental friendliness.

Dorit Grueber, GROHE’s Vice President (Marketing), Asia, noted that Asian businesses are becoming more green and are attracted to GROHE Blue especially in matured markets, where their employees are more time-strapped.

There is definitely an increasing trend as consumers become more environmentally conscious," she said, naming Vodafone and Miele as customers of the product. "Since the publication of the study, we’ve seen a significant increase in orders that have been recorded, especially in the B2B sector. The main attraction for GROHE Blue for businesses would be the convenience of getting filtered water straight from the faucet, and an outstanding design which combines pure drinking water and washing water in a single faucet."

*The May 2014 study was carried out by the Production and Logistics Chair of GeorgAugust University in Göttingen in cooperation with Grohe. Between July and November 2013, the scientists of Göttingen University compared the carbon footprint of one litre of water tapped from the GROHE Blue system with the footprint of one litre of bottled water. The scenario was based on the assumption of 30 users per day who drink one litre of bottled water on 220 days of the year over a period of five years. The calculation of the carbon footprint covered all five lifecycles of GROHE Blue and of bottled mineral water, which range from production and transport of the raw materials as well as transport of the finished product to consumption and disposal. 

Cachet Hotel Group reveals URBN Shanghai's new look

The Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) has completed renovations to the edgy URBN Hotel in Shanghai, which is a converted warehouse space. Under the creative direction of CHG's celebrity fashion designer, Jay Godfrey, the new interiors provide a modernist zen experience for hotel guests. The neutral colour palette also enhances the natural beauty of the recycled and reclaimed wood materials used. 

Source: CHG. The Jay Godfrey Courtyard Suite.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140911/0861406560

The URBN Shanghai hosts a signature Jay Godfrey designer suite. This 40 square meter suite features black lacquer finishes throughout, modern artwork, Tom Dixon pendant lights and an indoor-outdoor lounge 26 sq m terrace that overlooks the hotel's courtyard.

Business travellers will find URBN Hotel's new guestrooms more convenient for work, sleep and relaxation. All the guest rooms have been upgraded with new Mayair Technology air purification systems. Guests can also enjoy in-room Nespresso coffee machines, smart phone docking stations and wall-mounted 46" Samsung HD TV Performance Line televisions featuring international and local channels.

Each redesigned guest room features light fixtures with eco-friendly origins. A customisable lighting installation allows guests to create their own mood setting via remote control. URBN's signature Renewal Bed is also eco-friendly, being made from 100% natural materials, including cactus fibre, seaweed and coconut fibre. The Renewal Bed features a four-layer bed system and 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheet for a better sleep experience. 

The eco-boutique hotel also features a brand new fitness center called URBNfit. URBN has also partnered with Shanghai art gallery Art+ to display their contemporary artworks throughout the hotel and penthouses. 

"The redesigned and renovated URBN hotel reflects our passion in providing enriching and healthy experiences for today's discerning travellers pivoted by design, sustainability and comfort," said Aaron Griffiths, President of Hospitality Development. "Our guests will find not just a refreshed style but serious substance – that will make their stay at URBN hotel an even more restful and inspiring experience."

This October, URBN will introduce the BeerGRDN restaurant and bar, designed to be a casual dining and social venue, perfect for groups, sharing and celebrations. The bistro-style menu focuses on Italian and American flavours with a contemporary twist. 

Lonely Planet's eco-friendly top 10 includes places in Jordan, Papua New Guinea

Lonely Planet has chosen 10 of the most outstanding eco-friendly hotels and hostels from nominations by Lonely Planet authors and travel editors. No. 8 and no. 9 on the list are from the Middle East and Asia respectively.

Dana Guest House in Jordan has "one of the Middle East's most amazing views", Lonely Planet says. The guest house is run by Jordan's Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), and is located on the edge of the cliffs of Wadi Dana. 

According to the RSCN, Dana Guest House has facilities for courses and conferences, and can be used for retreats and workshops. It consists of nine comfortable rooms, and can house a maximum of 23 people. 

Eight of the rooms share the external toilets and showers, while a single suite, has a private bathroom, adding character and authenticity to the entire experience. Most rooms also come with private terraces that offer spectacular views of the surrounding wadi and mountains.

Nuli Sapi is ranked no. 9 on Lonely Planet's list. Set in Logeia Island in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, Nuli Sapi is approximately 1.5 hours by dinghy from Alotau. 
 

Source: Nuli Sapi Facebook page. Nuli Sapi at low tide.

Lonely Planet notes that the four bungalows are "simple but comfortable and made entirely of bush materials, with a veranda perched over the water". Each bungalow contains a queen-sized bed, bathroom and a verandah overlooking the China Strait, says the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

Guests can learn about the daily life of the community, including clay pot cooking, fishing from a canoe, and hunting for crabs.