Domain Name Difficulties

Finding the right domain name can be a real challenge. Especially since enterprising individuals discovered a few years back they could pick up short/sweet domain names for $7-$11 and resell them for a profit... sometimes a hefty profit. Examples... In 2009 Toys 'R' Us bought Toys.com for a reported $5.1 million. As you might expect, Sex.com went for top dollar--$12.5 million and Business.com sold for $7.5 million.

Of course these names are highly desirable and you can bet the companies who registered them will reap the benefits but it still surprises me to find uncommon words or phrases that carry a 4, 5 or 6 figure price tag. I must admit I've experienced this personally--the response to the last attempt to purchase my business name was "no less than 5 figures". I've been trying to purchase this name for 8 years and it sits idle to this day.

If you're faced with this dilemna and your budget doesn't include a 5-figure price tag, there IS a Plan B. When searching for a specific domain name consider using a hyphen, adding "online" to the name or you may find another alternative offered by the good folks at GoDaddy (my domain registrar of choice). Another (recommended) option is to use the industry or type of service/business AND the service area (state or region). Example... www.BuildingPA.com was registered for a general contractor in PA when he was unable to secure the name he wanted.

I think everyone agrees we don't want government intervention when it comes to the internet so we'll have to live with what I consider to be just shy of extortion. Once or twice a day we'll land on these "investor's" faux websites built to disguise endless lists of links to nowhere and serving no legitimate purpose. For the foreseeable future we'll just have to continue coming up with creative solutions to these... domain name difficulties. GET IN TOUCH and let us help you!


(Source for domain prices: ABC News, March 2009: ABC News Article )

Beware of "FREE" Listings

Just hung up from what seems like the 500th phone call advising me I've "already got an online listing on (their) website and (they) just need to be make sure their information is correct".

LISTER BEWARE! We are ALL looking for ways of promoting our websites but these companies are fast-talkers and if you can possibly stop them and ask them what happens AFTER the alleged "FREE" period you'll find out they'll be sending you an invoice.

This particular call didn't even wait until I finished the words "No, thank you"... he simply hung up on me! Chances are if it sounds too good to be true, it is. There is no such thing as a free listing unless it's through one of the major search engines and these days that's even hard to come by without spending money on a ppc campaign.

What a world, what a world!

2011 CES Show... What's NEW in Technology

After catching a glimpse on Nightline last night I thought I'd see what the NY Times has to say about the gadgets introduced at the 2011 CES (Consumer Electronics) in Vegas this week. Although it didn't seem like there was any one product that stood out, the trend was, of course, towards wireless and mobile devices. Take a look at yesterday's Times article on the event and what's new and HOT this year...

NY Times

...Not earthshattering but it reinforces my thoughts that it's nearly impossible to anticipate the "ultimate" webpage size for a wireless device!

Mobile Web Technology

In the process of adding Mobile Web Technology as an option for website clients. This is something that can be integrated into existing websites and fees will depend on the number of pages.

From what I'm seeing most customers are looking for the basics... hours of operation, contact information, directions, etc. Your feedback would be absolutely welcomed and appreciated!

How to FIND Things...

Before tackling the topic I'd like to wish clients, friends and family a VERY happy, healthy and prosperous 2011. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year. Here's hoping!

It's been quite a while since I had the time to blog but my New Year's Resolution was to revamp my website and IMPROVE communication so today's post is a good start! This is going to be very much off the I.T. (Information Technology) topic but I feel the need...

These last few weeks have been a time of clean-up and preparation around here... as is the case in every other office and home environment around the world : ) This is the time when one gathers up all the things that had been sitting in a spot (or in some cases, a stack) waiting to be put away. Typically when we run out of time I scoop up the miscellaneous items and put them out of sight until the holidays are over. Then the fun begins.

The search starts January 2nd when misplaced tools, leftover notes and/or measurements, letters, bills... socks and anything else that wasn't put away is, well, "missing". After 35 years of "retrieving" I gave thought to HOW it is we women are able to go directly (in most cases) to the exact location of the missing item. More importantly I wanted to start training my husband how to find his OWN socks/tools/etc. (It's too late to train the kids unfortunately!)

I found the best way was to suggest taking mental "snapshots" of one's surroundings as you move from room to room (or building to building). If you're in the process of setting something down make yourself aware of the general area (or room), what's in your hand and what is surrounding the item or nearby. All this takes is a little concentration and it can save HOURS of time in a day already stretched too thin.

I'm happy to say I'm seeing subtle signs of improvement and I'm hopeful that someday I won't hear "Where's my...?". Next, we'll tackle actually putting things AWAY : )