The Interactive Blog

I'm planning a short weekend away,  and I'm embarassed by the amount of gadgets that are coming with us. There are easily more gadgets than people. But I'm also comforted by the fact that at any point on my trip (barring wireless black holes) I will be able to tap into the information I might need: where to go apple picking; what is a woolly worm and why is there a festival about it; what time does the Mast General Store close? (anyone guess where I'm going yet?)

And that reminds me: we gotta start pushing mobile sites on our clients. Here's why.

Once, many years ago, I saw a crazy 18 wheeler careening down the highway. So I did something I’d never done before: I called the number on the back of the truck to complain. Just the other day, I realized I ought to place a call again, this time complimenting a nice tractor trailer that actually slowed down and moved over as my MINI raced in from the on ramp. It was right there, on the back of the truck: How's my driving? I have since wanted to ask the same thing of my own clients.

Okay, just the word “audit” gives me the heeby-jeebies. There is a reason I am not a financial advisor, a CPA or... you know... someone who deals with money-stuff. I don’t like it. Hence: I am a writer. (And yet, all I can come up with “money stuff.” Heh.)

When it comes to your brand, it’s not only possible but necessary to put your (or my) negative associations aside and embrace all an audit has to offer. Because a brand audit is an excellent way to get a true perspective on how you are positioning your company. In fact, we recently performed a brand audit and formulated a new strategy for a client that you can read about very soon! (note to self: write the darn case study already!)

You know what a rebound is: the person you date after a major breakup. Where you’re all raw and bloody from the last go-round and either overly eager to try again or hesitant that you can ever make it work.

The same concept goes for web designers. And recently, we had the opportunity to become a rebound designer.

Quickly now, look at your posture. Are you slumped forward? Are you leaning on one arm? Sitting on one leg? Are your wrists or forearms resting on your desk? That, my friend, is what’s called bad ergonomics.

A decade in Web time is an eternity, isn't it? Because ten years ago, if you wanted to buy a URL, chances are good that the one you want was available. Now? Chances are that the first ten names you came come up with will be taken. So what's a small business to do when choosing a domain?

Outside the window of my office is the nest of a pair of red-shouldered hawks. Now, I love raptors, so this is of special importance to me. However, these two yell at each other like nobody's business. Particularly in the last week or so, when they have been urging their young out of the next. I had that same feeling today, as two of our recent projects officially launched.

Through my work with IBM, I was recently part of discussion on something called content strategy. One of the first things we did was to define exactly what that meant. It was eye-opening for me, because I realized I've been doing content strategy for years... I just didn't know it.

If you've read this web site carefully, you'll have noticed something about Tony. He's English. Not that you'd know it by talking to him. It seems leaving the country at 18 and spending time in the Caribbean is the best way to erase an accent.

I had a very interesting conversation with a client yesterday in which she told me she has too much room in her store. "I have to buy all this inventory to fill it," she said. And like most of us, she isn't rolling around in extra cash with which she can do that. But without that inventory, the space looks desolate and her store looks weakened. It's a stickey wicket. As a result, she's looking for new space down the street in what will probably be a much better location for her.

Now, awarding yourself "Best small business that exists in my basement" doesn't count. There are real awards available for small biz and these are a couple of them (thanks to the Intuit Small Business Blog for the heads up!).

Walker Interactive was recently accredited by the Better Business Bureau. It's something we're very pleased about, but also a decision that took some thought.

Turns out you can't just buy accreditation. There is a review process in place. Yes, you pay for the privilege of being accredited. And this was why I hesitated for so many years. Then we had an experience with the BBB as consumers, plus I had some feedback from a client, and here we are.

Pardon the Yo Gabba Gabba reference. It's Monday, an ice storm is coming, and I need more coffee. But I wanted to share this excellent article called 21 Creative Ways to Increase Your Facebook Fanbasefrom Social Media Examiner.

So you get a postcard in the mail and there in the corner is this pixellated mess. It looks like this:

Even if you’ve worked with a web designer before, everyone has a different process. Here is a peek into ours.

December is flying by. it's a great time to think about what next year should look like. Here are six resolutions for Tony and me.

It's an exciting (and scary) time to be a small business owner, and Walker Interactive client The Happy Factory is no exception.