adaptability

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3 Important Fundamentals of a Business Website

BIG World Wide Web 
Lately I’ve come across a lot of situations with new clients where they are having trouble getting access to their existing source files or getting their current providers to cooperate in many ways. So today I’m going to talk about three business fundamentals that should be established when starting a website.

1. Establish Ownership. The first and most important one of these principals is to own everything – your domain name and all of your content (words, pictures, logos, graphics, videos, etc.). There are many, many companies who will offer you great deals up front (such as a “free” website for a year) but then retain ownership of your site, so you are left with little options or flexibility. Although the initial cost may be higher, establishing ownership will pay dividends throughout the lifespan of your website by assuring that certain barriers to progress will not be imposed.

2. Have Complete Access to Your Content. In many (if not most) cases, there is one major exception to the “establish ownership” rule and that is in regards to hosting. Most small businesses just do not have the time, resources, or know-how to manage their own hosting servers so it makes sense find an established hosting company to handle these tasks. However, when you employ a hosting company, it is important that you have direct access to all your files via FTP. Many small business owners don’t understand the process or the importance of this ability, but by having full access a professional developer can instantly add, modify, or delete any website item on your behalf.

3. Adaptability and/or Agility. This is the only one of the three which actually deals with website design (my specialty). The basic point here is that the online universe is rapidly evolving and it is important that your website’s design has the ability to integrate newer features, technologies, and design features. Of course, this is much more of an art than a science because none of us know which innovations are on the horizon. But by keeping your site agile and not “painting yourself into a corner” with too many static features and dependencies, you and your developer will maximize the possibilities for the future.

 
~ Ric Albano
 

Creativity blog image

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33 Ways to Be Creative

Creativity blog image

Below is a simple list of 33 items which may help spark creativity on those days when you need a catalyst.

  1. Be Open Minded
  2. Self Examine
  3. Surround Yourself with Creative People
  4. Collaborate
  5. Discover New (Original!) Music
  6. Read
  7. Go for a Walk, Run, or Hike
  8. Examine Your Roots
  9. Reflect
  10. Count Your Blessings
  11. Try to Contemplate the Size of the Universe
  12. Daydream
  13. Look at Old Pictures of Loved Ones
  14. Get to Work Early
  15. Clean Your Workspace
  16. Take an Alternate Root Home
  17. Be Spontaneous
  18. Find a Creative Rhythm and Work to that Groove
  19. Make Lists
  20. Create a Framework
  21. Rearrange
  22. Don’t Force It, Give It Room to Grow
  23. Take Breaks When Needed
  24. Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes
  25. Periodically Reflect on Progress
  26. Get Honest Feedback
  27. Appreciate the Creative Output of Others
  28. Never Discard an Idea (write it down and check back in a year)
  29. Don’t Apologize for What Makes You Happy
  30. Embrace Awkward Situations
  31. Don’t Play by Someone Else’s Rules
  32. Take Risks
  33. Never Give Up

~

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Interstate Journey

A Day Without Multitasking
by Liz Reusswig

Interstate TrafficI continue to ponder the analogy of traffic and its relation to multitasking and managing our businesses and life in general. Personally and professionally, the past couple weeks have provided much fodder. Today’s blog reviews a bit of what I’ve discovered personally.

Last week was wicked. Over several days, our family said good-by to my dear Aunt Nellie. Actually, she was my aunt-in-law, but through the years, she and I often joked that we were the outlaws. In reality, she was my aunt-in-heart. You know those people who enter your life and instantly seem to know your soul? They love and support you unconditionally and it has nothing to do with bloodlines – those are in-heart relatives and friends. I’m blessed to have and have had a number of these people in my life. I will miss my aunt, but in our final time together, she provided me something completely unexpected.

We had to drive 2.5 hours between services in New York and Connecticut along the infamous Interstate 95. Thankfully the traffic was light, the day was beautiful, and the ride, though long, was cathartic. After spending some time reminiscing, we mostly became quiet – each of us slipping into our own thoughts. For me, having previously lived in Connecticut, the familiarity of all we passed was welcoming. At the section where you can see the Long Island Sound, I wondered about the cargo ships – where they were from and what they might be hauling. At many exits, I longed turn off onto roads that lead to Connecticut friends whom I haven’t seen in too long, and accepted that there would be no reunions this trip. I studied the craggy trees and bushes that line the highway. Their imperfection is intriguing to me as it is borne from years of weathering the many storms that roll up the East Coast. Storms, like traffic, are so unpredictable.

Previously, I would never have considered a ride along the usually hectic I-95 a “four-way stop,” but on that day and in that time, it became exactly that. The frenetic traffic patterns of the many roads of my life paused – there was no multitasking, no worrying about other things. I was in the moment and it was as it should be. Somehow the sad ride along I-95 became a peaceful journey. We need these “four-way stops” to power down, reflect and renew.

~
Liz Reusswig is the owner of EMR Strategies, LLC and the founder of Kid’s Theatre News.

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Spring Is Coming

 

33 Dimensions Newsletter
April 3, 2013

Spring LandscapeSpring Is Coming!

Anyone who is a fan of Game of Thrones (which, by the way, returns this Sunday night) would know the term “winter is coming” has been oft-repeated over the past two seasons. Well, we’re in a better place here as the weather is about to break, the days are getting longer, and soon we will be awash in green. It is a great time to be optimistic and here at 33 Dimensions we have plenty of things cooking which are very exciting.

First, we are now developing websites using responsive design, which adapts and optimizes for any screen size – desktop, tablet, or mobile. We’ve also partnered with some great companies to provide more convenient transactions for our customers, including Fresh Books for invoicing and expense reports and Stripe for accepting all major credit cards.

Best of all, we have some great new websites launching in the coming weeks (see client info below) as well as some interesting new initiatives in the works. Stay tuned for more great stuff!

Ric Albano
Owner and Creative Director
33 Dimensions LLC

Turnkey Restaurant for Sale

Biagio's Subs n SudsWe have the unique priviledge to help our client, Biagio’s Subs and Suds sell a 26-year-old, family owned, fully-operational restaurant and deli at a prime location in Downtown Hazleton, PA. Open seven days a week, with a fine reputation for providing Hazleton’s best subs and other fine delicacies and comes with a PLCB liquor license and literally tons of amenities, all at an incredibly low price. Please click here for much more details.

Client News

Kids Theatre NewsThe official launch of Kids Theatre News, Central PA will be next Tuesday, April 6th. We have been providing a “sneak peak” of the Kids Theatre News, Central PA site for the past few months and have gotten tremendous feedback, so we’re excited to finally make this official.

 
The Cornerstone Culinary KitchenA brand new site dedicated to the Cornerstone Culinary Kitchen is set to launch in mid April. They provide regularly scheduled and private party cooking classes, which are becoming ever more popular, so this new site will focus exclusively on the Culinary Kitchen and “back room” events at the Camp Hill establishment, while the current Cornerstone Coffeehouse will continue to provide lunch, music, art, and specialty beverage information.

 
Key Rock ReviewOn the music and entertainment front, there is a bunch going on. The Badlees website will be redesigned in anticipation of their double album release this October, while Cygnus Wave Records has a brand new release in pre-production entitled One More Rock to Roll by Sinclair Soul. We’ll also be once again providing a website for the Sound Off for Vets benefit concert this year.

 
33 Dimensions
P.O. Box 126
Highspire, PA 17034
info@33dimensions.com

 

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