Web Spiders, Inc., the premier global Web 2.0 Rich Internet and Rich Mobile Application (RIA) product development company for entrepreneurs and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) will be exhibiting (Booth no. 1021) its latest Silverlight, Windows Mobile and Flex solutions at the Microsoft Partner Conference, July 7-10, in Houston, TX. Web Spiders will also be serving as a bronze level sponsor of this event.

Continuing its leadership in the RIA & RMA space, Web Spiders is expanding its enterprise scale RIA development offerings, adding Microsoft’s new Silverlight application platform. In addition, as demand continues to build for improved rich applications in the mobile space, Web Spiders has launched a center of excellence for Rich Apps for mobile phone platforms such as Windows Mobile, Blackberry and iPhone.

“Our customers are leading-edge product companies and entrepreneurs who are looking at launching the next “Rich” version of their Web or Mobile Apps,” said Siddharth “Sid” Jhunjhunwala, Web Spiders’ CEO. “We are extremely pleased to add Silverlight to our portfolio along with Adobe Flex, as this offers a compelling value proposition to the ISV and entrepreneurial community.”

Web Spiders’ RIA and RMA development services, which are delivered using a dual-shore model between US and India, have been receiving outstanding praise from clients including that of Tim Hamilton, CEO of Astonish Design who observed: “Web Spiders has provided a highly engaging and functional Web Application for one of our major clients. Leveraging Rich Internet (RIA) Web 2.0 development services, Web Spiders delivered with quality, on time and with a real sense of partnership with my business and clients.”

Another leading ISV, Daniel Saaty, Vice President of Decision Lens noted: “We look toward Web Spiders to provide an extremely innovative GUI and usability for our specialized and highly complex web application. Their approach to development and quality processes has been a strong benefit to our business and investors.”

At the conference, Web Spiders will demonstrate examples of its Rich Internet and Rich Mobile offerings on Silverlight and Flex, including examples of a Car Configurator developed for Mitsubishi Motors, a Rich Mobile App developed for Samsung and several other applications developed for leading ISVs, Entrepreneurs and Corporations.

Web Spiders’ Sr. Account Director for North America, Stephen Harris was interviewed while exhibiting at the Interop/Software 2008 conference in Las Vegas. Stephen explains how Web Spiders, the premier product development company, can provide Rich Internet Applications for ISVs and corporations seeking a competitive advantage online:

Internet World is UK’s largest digital business show, and the 17th Internet World event in London, held this time from 29th April to 1st May, was yet again a showstopper. This event features industry leaders like BBC Worldwide and Google amongst its speakers, and it has consistently been able to attract heavyweight keynote speakers like ITV, MySpace and Nokia. Web Spiders was once again a bright star in such a luminous constellation.

In addition to showcasing our expertise in eCommerce, Social Networking, “No Refresh” Technology and Mobile Applications, our primary focus was on customised Web 2.0/ RIA (Rich Internet Applications) development and Snockles (Social Software for Businesses). Our 1-Page Checkout and Desktop Widgets also attracted a lot of interest. Web Spiders CEO Sid (Siddharth Jhunjhunwala) presented on the subject “Enterprise 2.0 – Social is good for Business” in the Web 2.0 theatre.

Internet World, true to tradition, attracted a serious business audience interested in the key issues relating to online strategy. Over the 3 day period, we interacted with thousands of attendees and had the opportunity to educate business decision makers on the latest developments in the market and future trends. 

To know more about our offerings, visit Web Spiders online and learn how we can radically change your business with the help of the latest Web technology.

Stephen Harris, VP/ Sr. Acct Director (North America) explains how Rich Internet Applications (RIA) Flex can be used on a B2C web site, featuring Web Spiders’ “No Refresh Technology”. Stephen was interviewed while exhibiting at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco:

Once again, Web Spiders will be sponsoring trade shows across North America discussing Rich Internet Applications (RIA) and our “No Refresh” Technology. First stop is Atlanta, GA where we are a Silver Sponsor at 360|Flex. This event, which we also sponsored last year in Seattle, focuses on the Flex/RIA development community – with some of the top names in the field providing education and product updates. For Web Spiders, this is a great opportunity to meet with developers and agencies – to discuss how we can help them to overcome resource capacity issues, and even join the Web Spiders team.

We now offer North America based on-site RIA/Flex services on a 1099 or Corp-to-Corp basis, so this event helps us identify where the opportunities exist and get to know developers too that will help fill these jobs under the Web Spiders banner. And we also learn what is up and coming in this exciting area of development.

Watch for updates from the 360|Flex show and look for Web Spiders at future events. So far we are sponsors at the Reilly Web 2.0 Conference (SF) and Software 2008 (Vegas). - Stephen Harris

At the Technology for Marketing & Advertising (TFM&A 2008) exhibition, UK’s only dedicated event delivering digital, data and CRM solutions for marketing, media and advertising professionals, Web Spiders again made its presence felt strongly in the international arena.

During the 2-day event (12th-13th February, 2008) at Earls Court 2, London, Web Spiders exhibited its expertise in eCommerce, Social Networking, Desktop Widgets, Mobile Applications and Web 2.0/ Rich Internet Application development in front of thousands of visitors.

This year at TFM&A, the number of visitors increased by more than 50% to witness the fantastic line-up of keynote speakers, two-tier Google University, CIM Marketing Experience sessions and the many reputed international suppliers demonstrating the latest and most cutting-edge solutions. The free case-study led seminars covering data, CRM and digital, and the excellent industry networking were added attractions.

Web Spiders showcased the following:

• Why Social Networking is good for Business

Web Spiders’ Snockles for Enterprises provides a scalable (no user limit), on-demand (no maintenance overhead and quick go-live) and mobile phone integrated social software for businesses to achieve the same level of collaboration and networking as with consumer social networking sites.

• Reducing customer abandonment of shopping carts with single page checkout and “no refresh”

According to figures from Marketing Sherpa, the average abandonment rate for shopping carts is 60%, of which 12% give up before hitting the checkout. Web Spiders can help reduce abandonment by making the shopping process easy, informative and responsive.

• Desktop Widgets (Gadgets) - create a 24/7 bond with your customers

By providing bespoke development of Widgets, Web Spiders can produce a customized opt-in marketing solution that helps to generate customer loyalty and repeat business.

Web Spiders has been focused on delivering responsive digital solutions for more than 10 years. To know more about how such cutting-edge digital solutions can help your business, visit our website at www.webspiders.com.

Rich Internet Applications are the latest buzz in the software industry. A new generation of web applications has come of age with RIA technologies. With RIA, user interface has become richer than ever.

RIA has redefined user interactivity on web pages. In fact, the whole concept of a web page has been rewritten. With RIA, users request and get information on the same screen. No refresh, and no waiting! This is something very important for web applications that run e-stores. Customers get more freedom in browsing the store from the comfort of a single page, all the while adding products to the shopping cart. Moreover, user interfaces have become much more sophisticated with RIA technologies. Designers can use more graphics, animation, with sound effects in applications developed on RIA platform.

RIA products are so varied and sophisticated that choosing the most suitable one might turn out to be a bit confusing. AJAX and Flex are the two technologies primarily used for developing RIA products. For granting end users unlimited access, AJAX based web solutions are the best. AJAX based products also rank high in terms of reliability, scalability, availability, security and above all, maintenance. On the other hand, Flex is more suitable if the designer plans to use lots of animation in the application.

AJAX and Flex has given user interactivity a new meaning. In Web Spiders, Flex and AJAX are being variously used to create more sophisticated user interfaces in web applications. You can check out www.webspiders.com for more information regarding RIA.

Web Spiders exhibited at eCommerce expo (30^th-31^st October 2007) in Olympia, London as a continuation of the “Say No to Refresh” worldwide tour.

This event proved to be very successful with the attraction of Web Spiders Rich Internet Applications, developed in Adobe Flex, AIR and AJAX, providing highly responsive eApplications and Web sites.

Neil Burton, Web Spiders UK & Europe Business Development Manager commented:

“Visitors to our stand were captivated by the demonstrations and how Web Spiders is harnessing the power of Web 2.0 technologies for the benefit of eCommerce”.

“Grabbing the attention in particular was the strength of using Desktop Widgets as a powerful marketing tool, 1 page shopping check out cart to reduce abandonment and eBooks for interactive catalogues as well as product users manuals.”

“Decision makers are recognizing how an edge can be gained over competitors through great performance as well as advanced search and filter capabilities to help customers purchase on-line, delivering real Return on Investment through this channel.”

You can send us your comments or suggestions at the Web Spiders website.

Here is a view from the exhibition floor.

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Customer defection has been a major issue for online realtors from the beginning of eCommerce. Imagine shopping in a offline retail store, filling your cart with merchandise, then leaving it all behind at the check out counter. Certainly this does occur for instance, if the lines at the cash register are too long. However, I am sure the percentage of offline abandonment is very low. As a consumer, you have invested your time already to driving to the store, parking your car, making your selections. However, in the online environment, there is a higher sense of urgency and changing one’s mind is only a back-button away.

One reason that nearly 60% of online shoppers abandon their online purchases, according to a MarketingSherpa study, is the complexity in the shopping cart check out process. Most of us have experienced the 3-5 page check out process. We have seen one that extending into a nine (9) step check out! You really must want this product to put up with nine screens! Imagine having a four step checkout in your local supermarket or shoe store, where you move from counter to counter to make and complete your purchase. That retailer will be out of business within days. From this same MarketingSherpa study, 27% of respondents said they abandoned their cart because they did not have enough time to complete the purchase. So how come online shopping carts are not savvy and sophisticated enough to get their process to one step? They are - the one step shopping cart are showing up on web sites that want to enhance their online sales ROI. Add Flex2 / Rich Internet Applications (RIA) and you have a very sophisticated, highly intuitive and efficient shopping cart. A one step shopping cart will greatly enhance the visitors experience with your web site, increasing conversions and enhancing your brand and reputation. At Web Spiders, we have endorsed the one step Flex/RIA shopping cart for our clients. View our One Step Shopping Cart demo and contact us today to see how we can be of service to your organizations online eCommerce business.