The question for this past year has been, “How shall Lazytea Creations proceed into the future?”

Not an easy question to answer. I have spent long hours of research and contemplation. Current clients need not worry. You will continue to receive full support and services you currently enjoy. My rates will not go up though I will be changing my billing schedule to be on an annual basis starting in January as opposed to your anniversary date. I will not longer accept new clients for web design and development.

I hope to further develop this website as a resource for those wishing to obtain and develop their own websites. Sites are not developed in the same way as they were 10 years ago or even 2 years ago. Today it is most important that sites load quickly and with a minimum use of bandwidth. With the mobile web growing exponentially, a site that does not load on a mobile device such as an iphone will be missing out on a lucrative audience. Content is king – Visibility is the emperor.

Most blogging platforms such as wordpress, typepad, and blogger now have static pages, photo storage, and attractive themes on reliable hosting services. They eliminate the need for the lower-end developers. Obtaining a domain name and setting it takes a bit of knowledge. GoDaddy.com is an excellent place to begin even if you choose to host on Wordpress.com. There are dozens of applications which can plug-in to the blogs making your site lucrative, visible, and inter active. There is no reason at all to not take advantage of the “new” web.

Web development and design tends to rank among the most stressful and depressing occupations. This is partially due to the disparity between the rapid advancements of the internet and the slower development of public understanding. We quickly tire of explaining and being evangelists for the new web. We truly cannot proceed to develop in the same manner we did in the 90’s. Sorry, no bordered wall paper or 800×600 res defaults. Internet Explorer is long dead – let it lie in peace.

More on the future in the next post…..

And then… GET STARTED

On the internet front we see many advances in content management systems. Several of my clients are now on Wordpress.  They just released a brand new version that makes updating your own site much more user friendly.  This is exciting!  I hope to upgrade this site to Wordpress 2.7 in the near future.

My oldest daughter Jean is busy with her writing career.  Maybelle is 7 and we are homeschooling.  If you call during the daytime, you will most likely get my answering machine as I do not answer when we are working together.  Edward is here to assist since he has retired from the Municipality of Anchorage.  Feel free to talk with him on the phone if he answers.

Several have asked when I will update my own dog site.  www.talyn-acds.com  It is in the works.  The site is about 3 years out of date and I have a whole new family now.  Hopefully, over Christmas, I can give myself the gift of time to update my own site.

Maybelle begins first grade in a few days.  She will be homeschooled again this year.

Enjoy the last few dog days of summer!

During May, I went to Greeley, Colorado for the Shetland Sheepdog National Specialty.  There I visited with a few clients and enjoyed a preview of spring.

In June I will be away for nearly the entire month attending a Young Living convention in Utah and then visiting family in Seattle.  If you are in the Salt Lake City or Seattle area during June, let’s arrange to meet.

I’d like to welcome aboard Bullards Bull Terriers

The Iditarod heads out of town this weekend bound for Nome.  The excitement in the air is palpable – well audible as well since we live near one of the main veterinary clinics for pre-race checks.

Many changes are taking place here.  Lots of new things for the new year.  New computer, new software, new OS on the server, new new new.

We are also mourning the loss of 2 friends and clients in the last few months. Kay Evers of Sunset Grille St.Pete and Linda Bernard of BrisketBasket.com The two were close friends and business partners.  Linda brightened many of my days with her sense of humor and brilliant ideas.  I know there’s more “razzle dazzle” in heaven now.

Happy Trails and Good Luck to All!

The truth is that creating an effective professional website is more complicated than simply putting some pictures and text on a page. Like creating a “bricks and mortar” business you need to consider an array of variables that affect the size, scope and style of the “site” your are creating. Who is your potential web market? What does your website add to your existing business? What is the most effective way of capturing their interest, and their loyalty? These are only a few of the questions you should ask yourself as you go about the business of creating your online presence.

As the berries are ripening, our summer frenzy is bearing fruit.
My photographs have become very popular with the local dog crowd as well as in my CafePress Store .

To accommodate the requests for prints and special photo sessions, I have established a dedicated photo gallery

You can still view my gallery at Flickr.
If you find something there you like, simply request permission from me before you use the image.

I will be attending the Bernese Mt. Dog Club of Alaska’s Specialty Draft Tests and Show the September 1-3. Request for ringside candids should be made as early as possible to avoid conflicts.

September 21 – October 3 I will be in the Seattle/Mt. Vernon Washington area for the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America
and the Cascade Australian Cattle Dog Club Specialties.

I have already received many deposits for candids there but can still accept a few more.
Copies of the 2008 Lazytea Calendars will be available for preview and orders can be placed anytime for items or prints of photos taken at these events or other events.

A List Apart: Articles: The Web Design Survey, 2007.