Kindle draws us into becoming a publishing company

I bought a Kindle 2 in February, March 2009. I really liked many features, especially the 3G Internet connectivity included at no cost.

I sold the K2 in May and got the Kindle DX in late June, 2009. Again, its features are really functional and endearing.

So, after using the Kindle for months, reading online articles about it and listening to some awesome podcasts including the Kindle Chronicles, I've decided to take Kolb Net Works into the ebook publishing field.

We'll still do all the services that we are known for, including web site design and development, web site hosting and Internet Marketing. Now, we'll also provide editorial, publishing and marketing services for authors.

I'm pleased that we're keeping up to date with electronic publishing as it continues to develop.

I welcome your comments on this new service by Kolb Net Works.

Swine Flu Masks web site

We have a client in Massachusetts that manufactures N95 type respirators, among other things.  Some of their respirators are the type that so many people are using in Mexico city because of the H1N1 Swine Flu scare.

So we worked over the weekend to  add Swine Flu related content to the web site and worked a bit on the Google Ad Words camapaign.

Then, well.... Monday came. And people flocked to the web to read more about the Flu.

Its amazing to watch the web site traffic stats and orders and everything. Its almost as if the web is alive, moving, running, halting, thinking, pausing, then running again.

Of course, people are behind the web traffic. 

I'm pleased to be in a position to be able to watch things like this.

You Tube is a place to be seen

I've been video bloggin while in my car. Maybe you've seen it (look to the left column).

I also placed the "Costs of a website" video on our company home page at www.kolbnetworks.com

The view stats from You Tube are very good. Best thing is the number of potential clients that call me, then when we get to talking about price they say, "I saw your video, I know about what goes in to web site prices."

I think that's very cool. You Tube is a place to be seen for many business.

Google Chrome Browser wins performance tests

I've been running the Google Chrome Browser since it was released. I really like the speed boost it has compared to IE7 and even FireFox.

I recommend it.

You can download it at: http://www.google.com/chrome

Reference: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2335256,00.asp

December sales pop

I read the linked story on Cnet - about the December online sales pop. 

We saw it on our client sites that sell to the general public, too. It's amazing to see the visits and sales charts, tracking conversion rates and such. 

Google Analytics makes tracking web site visits and sales a joy. If your web site doesn't have Google Analytics, ask your web developer to put them on your site. 

The biggest snafu we saw this year was the USPS shipping rate servers go unreliable for a couple of days earlier in the season. 

See http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/12/09/1935223 

Reference Cnet article about online December sales: 

http://news.cnet.com/8300-1001_3-92.html?tag=hdr;snav

Dated advertising

Twice this week I've seen out dated ads relating to gas prices.

Earlier this Summer, gasoline prices were about $4 / gallon. They are currently at $1.95 / gallon.

Yet, 2 large printed ads making major reference to $4+ gas were spotted this week. Print ads.

The Internet allows companies to update their marketing message quickly. Correct errors, Respond to changes.

This is another reason I believe traditional advertising (Print) will decline significantly.

Google Ad professional exam results

I've been studying to prepare for the Google Advertising Professional exam for a couple of weeks. I took the test this morning and passed.

The test was 110 questions long with a time limit of 90 minutes.