As a web developer, I'm a big fan of Google Chrome. I still use Firefox for my day-to-day work, but Chrome definitely comes in handy. It's built around the Webkit browser engine - the same one used by Safari.
A common problem for web developers is testing the sites we build in multiple browsers. Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Firefox, Safari - they can all display the same webpage in different ways. It's time consuming to test our work in all these different browsers - especially since you can only get Safari on an Apple Mac.
Chrome's a pretty good browser, but its even more useful as a tool for testing.
Brendon and Jack are past the Nullarbor and are doing great. They've updated the Perth To Paradise website with news, photos, and this video:
Contains some great images of the Nullarbor, which derives it's name from Latin for "no trees" - a well chosen name! That's the Eyre Highway they're cruising down, which is the longest straight stretch of sealed road in Australia.
Jack and Brendon are up to day 9 of their epic ride and are doing well. They've had a rough time fighting against strong headwinds, but are now ahead of schedule.
Sadly for Brendon, he's missing Talk Like A Pirate Day - he's too busy falling off his bike! There was a minor collision with another rider (no injuries) and he's stuck with one gear until they get to Ceduna in 3 days time. Despite this, they are keen to continue.
As you may (!) have gathered from this site over the past while, I've been training up to do a trip with my son Jack.
We're leaving in a few hours (along with my wife/his mum) to head to Perth, Western Australia. Once there we'll jump on our bikes and cycle across Australia - 4,500 kms in 30 days.
We're using the ride to raise some money and awareness of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia. If you'd like to donate a couple of bucks as support, then we'd appreciate it.
You see, as part of our ride preparation, Jack and I went along for a session with Phil to discuss the ride, how we communicate, what obstacles we might encounter over the 30 days (in terms of mental issues) and more.
Psychological Profiles & More
Phil did a comprehensive psychological profile on both of us and then spent hours with us going through a whole range of issues.
Last week a cheque from Phil and Ros turned up. A cheque for $750 - turns out Phil & Ros have been telling all and sundry to hand over some cash for Jack's ride!
A quick shout out to Australia's leading flag poles site. Just relaunched a fresh site (It's a WordPress site) to make editing and updating a little easier.
I gave the son of some friends a WordPress site for his 18th birthday just before he went away on a Gap year.
Mitchell has used the site to keep everyone updated on what he's doing and where he is. It's been a great tool for him to keep people informed.
Mitchell just ran with the bulls in Pamploma and popped up some video he shot of a bull in the arena - don't you just love it when the bull cleans some people up?!
Not Saying I'm The Best Or Anything......But That's What Others Say!
You might remember from a while ago we did a search engine ranking case study (there are a number of posts about what we did on that page) and used my online mate Seamus' site as the guinea pig.
Well, the pig is at the trough of Google!
After being at # 2-3 for months, Inspired eBusiness has finally cracked # 1 for "Belfast Web Design".
Here's what Seamus said:
"I spotted this search result this morning - No1 in organic listing for 'Belfast web design'. Long may it last.
As always, my sincere thanks and gratitude for all you've done and taught me over the past year or so."
Excellent stuff.
Do what we did on Seamus' site and you'll be reaping the benefits of being seen by way more of your target market.
I walked down to the famous Salamanca Markets in Hobart to grab something to eat before the 1 pm Greek Wedding I had to attend on Saturday.
As I was walking out I saw a guy playing guitar - Cary Lewincamp is a brilliant guitarist and a guy Mel and I used to listen to when we were dating over 20 years ago - at the 'Room at the Top' for any old Hobart people reading this.
Anyway, I wandered up to Cary's stall - he plays his guitar and sells his CDs. Cary was chatting with some people and telling them about his children.
7 Children - The Last 3 Are Triplets!
Once he finished chatting with them I introduced myself and said thanks for his beautiful music all those years ago. I asked about his children (he'd been showing the previous people a photo of his triplets).
Turns out Cary has 7 children - 2 girls and 5 boys (same as my family - I'm the youngest of 5 boys and have 2 sisters).
He asked me a few questions about where I was from and how I liked it where I am.
I purchased a CD and Cary thanked me, saying "Thanks - buying my music will put food on the table for those 7 kids."
Cary's a brilliant guitarist and a brilliant salesperson as well.
Here's what Cary did/does......... in the nicest possible way:
1. Took a stall at Salamanca Markets - a huge market that sells a range of quality Tasmanian products. An excellent fit I'd imagine for his market. So he's accessible to the sort of people who would buy his music.
2. He demonstrates his product - he sits there and plays his music. If you like it, you can buy it. Kind of like a taste test.
3. He engages his potential customer - that's the people before me and me. He shows his family photos, talks with them, asks questions. What he does there is establishes a rapport - he's a likable fellow and you're much more likely to buy from someone you like.
4. Cary is a brand - he understands this as there is a consistency in all that he does from his music, to his presentation, to his interview style, to his web site, etc.
5. Says "Thanks" - Cary's mention at the end that me buying his music direct will help feed his kids really resonates with me. As we all know, life can be tough. Saying thanks to your customers strengthens the relationship between you - makes it more real.
A nice model to follow.
1 Teensy Weeny Suggestion
Cary's doing so much right that I feel bad making a suggestion (but that won't stop me of course!).
The only thing I'd do different if I was Cary is I'd have an email newsletter for people interested in hearing about new songs, where he is playing, etc.
I'd also ask every person who buys from him if they'd like to be on that list.
That list could well be the key to a ton of sales in the future.
** Winner Web Design Library - Best Book of the Web Industry 2004 **
The Web Design Business Kit is a compilation of everything Brendon has ever done and every document he has ever used to build and grow his business!
It contains two huge ring-bound folders with over 700 letter size (8.5x11) pages, plus a CD-ROM which has everything you need to build a thriving Web Design Business...
To find out more about The Web Design Business Kit click here
