WashingtonKS.com Blog, Washington County Kansas

Midwest Change?

Is the American Midwest on the precipice of MASSIVE change?

Cellulosic Diesel Fuel from Algae from Solazyme, Inc. on Vimeo.

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Washington Fireworks Show

Dear Community:

It has come to my attention that some, possibly even some members of the Washington Fire Department themselves, may have taken a headline I posted on the home page of WashingtonKS.com other than I intended. The headline in question is/was "Washington Fireworks Show a Bang or a Bomb?"  with a video of a person thrilled with the Fire Departments Display.  My intent is to PRAISE the Washington Fire Department for their WONDERFUL job and work.  I have been told by several fireman how much time and effort goes into the preparation of the show.  I wished to congratulate them but I did it rather "cryptically".  For that, I  am sorry.

The headline now reads:

Washington Fireworks Show a Bang not a Bomb!

This should make it clearer to all.  This was the purpose of the headline and the video.  I am so sorry if someone, anyone, has been offended by me by my previous cryptic headline.

Thank you  

Brian Sasse

Developer/Webmaster WashingtonKS.com

Website Tool or Token

   A business owner mentioned to me recently that he/she has a website.  I questioned, "You do?" and thinking to myself "really . . . how in the world would I or your customers know that".  A moment or two later, the business owner said, "I don't think it's done much good."

Hmm.  Let's break this down and make it simple.

Many have been disillusioned "if they build it they will come."   A lone, isolated presence on the internet is just that.  It's akin to a distant farm house, far away from the traffic of town.  People will come to that farm house if you invite them, give them directions and if they like you or what you have to offer them they will come.   Are your directions to your website in front of your customers?  Is it on your brick and mortar store for all to see as they pass by or at the very least VISIBLE when someone comes INSIDE your physical location?  Is it prominent on ALL your printed material and advertising?  The business owner mentioned above isn't even close to this hence "It don't think it's done much good."  Is there a REASON to visit the website?  What special offer or information can be provided there to teach people to go to your website FIRST for information?  Why is this important to you as a business owner? 

Don't you, as a customer, hate it when your are standing in line at a service counter or cashier and the store or restaurant's phone rings.  The "customer service representative" ignores the merchandise holding, "money in hand" customers standing in front of her, smacking her gum, curling her hair with fingers with one hand and with the other hand reaches for the ringing phone and says, "Hello, this XYZ business, we are focused on customer service, how may I help you?"  Since you are "right there" and probably can smell her perfume you overhear the conversation:  "Yes Sir, we are open Monday through Friday 9 -5, Saturdays 9-Noon.  No Sir we are no longer open on Sundays.  Yes, the red "widget" is still on special for $49.99 but the sales ends tomorrow and on and on and on.  Yes, we still have "this and that"."  The conversation seems to drag on for an eternity.  This customer found the phone number and odds are now there is an internet connected computer within reach of this caller.  There are those that would prefer to see it on company's website rather than call and talk.   This type of information is easily communicated to thousands of customers at the very same time.  It's like a thousand employees answering the phone at the same time, delivering the same message at the same FIXED cost with no bathroom breaks.  In the meantime, the Customer Service Representative can stay focused with paying customers. 

Is your website your tool that helps your business and serves your potential customers or is it there just because everyone else has one and it's just a token?  It looks good but really doesn't ad value to your business.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Our trip to Colorado Springs Colorado

 

 

Build a website and they will come?

Coming soon. 

I've been waiting to write the upcoming blog entry but I've been busy with the Fair's website.  I had an interesting discussion with a business owner the other day that has invested in a website for the business.  He/she said "I don't think it's done much good!"  Hmmm.   I'll tell you my response and my analysis in a few days.

Washington County Fair Poster Last Call

If your business would like exposure like NEVER before, this is the last call to be included on the Washington County Fair's Poster.  Contact Me ASAP!

Win Candy Coburn Concert Tickets

Wednesday, May 19 8:30 PM

The contest page is up.  Email newsletter subscribers get first crack.  Let's just say the email will go out sometime this evening.

Crop Damage

The newly planted petunias and sweet potato vines by the Washington Chamber of Commerce suffered moderate damage across the Washington downtown sidewalk landscape from the hail storm last Thursday evening.  It is unlikely that the loss will be covered by crop insurance.  The only plant that withstood the moderate to heavy hail storm was the center piece bushee artificialis.

 

 
 
 

bushee artificialis (below) withstood the heavy hail and wind.  It does exceptionally well in high heat, frigid winters, excessive watering, and drought conditions.  It might even withstand a nuclear explosion and will do just fine in the upcoming humid Kansas summer.  It will out live us all. 

 

Who is the Master of Your Domain Name?

One of the biggest decisions in owning and operating a website for your business is your choice of a Domain Name.  A Domain Name is one like www.washingtonks.com.  A Domain Name reflects you and what you do. 

The next biggest choice is WHO is going to register it, or in essence, "buy" it from a registrar such as Go Daddy or Network Solutions.  And that may entail WHO is going to control it or possibly own it.  It's akin to allowing someone else to administer your PIN for your ATM card.  Do you absolutely trust someone else to administer your business name on the internet?

There are many, many examples of Domain Name "kidnapping".   Here's an example of how this happens.  Many business owners got into the internet when it first took off in the late 1990's.  They hired a computer professional or webmaster to create a website and register a Domain Name for them. Years went by and the relationship between the client and Webmaster soured. The business now wants to make a website overhaul and work with a different company. The old webmaster is difficult or unreponsive to your wishes.  They have complete access and control over the businesses domain name. With no written documentation between the client, the webmaster, the old web company may have complete control of the "your" name on the internet. 

All those years of printing business card, fliers, and advertisements with your domain name is now soley controlled by another.  What can they do with "your" internet name?  They can easily sell it to your competition and have it automatically forward to their website. Yep, it's done all the time.  Hence, a "ransom" is offered.  Maybe it's a few hundred or a few thousand dollars but the old webmaster insists you "buy back" your own name.  Wow.

So, how do you protect your self? 

Your first step is to go with your gut.  If you are just starting out with a website, do you trust your webmaster?  Get something in writing!!! Specify who owns the domain name, termination fees, transfer fees etc..   Or, just create your own account at a Domain Registrar. (like at Go Daddy.com )  Fill in the Administrative Contact, Registrant, and Technical Contact fields.  You'll have to learn a thing or two about changing the DNS or Name Servers or IP forwarding but it is fairly easy.  Set up your account to automatically renew on the anniversary date so your registration does not lapse.  Some accredited registrars have their own domain name kidnapping schemes.  Read and understand the Terms of Service agreement.

Operating a website offers great rewards and your Domain Name is a critical piece in your internet business marketing.   But the key is building on a firm and level foundation.  Make sure your Domain Name is owned and controlled BY YOU.

New Desktop Background

It's been awhile.  I know.  I've been spinning lots of plates for WashingtonKS.com.

I've added a new desktop background: Tulip Art.  You may place it on your computer screen.  Click it and select (set as background) or similar.

Thank the Lord Spring has FINALLY come!