As the ‘Internet Highway of Information’ keeps growing like a super structure, it’s fun to see all the new things that keep popping up along the way. With high speed internet connections at an all time high and available nearly everywhere and with the growth of Satellite Internet Providers, we are seeing more and more web-based interaction. Even movies are downloadable for quick viewing these days. If you’re wondering about a particular movie you may want to go out and see, go online to movies.com and read reviews and watch the trailer. What could be easier?
These days, I am fascinated with the ever-growing popularity of the ‘Blog’. The definition of a ‘Blog’ is a real-time, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.The Blog, as it is now known has been around for years, but only recently has it taken root and is sprouting up all over the web. Blogs were originally called web logs or weblogs. However, "blog" seems less likely to cause confusion, as "web log" can also mean a server's log files. People maintained Blogs long before the term was coined, but the trend gained momentum with the introduction of automated published systems. Thousands of people use Blogs everyday for many various reasons, mostly for discussion groups with a common interest. 
For San Clemente, there are more than a few blogs available… if you can find them. However, the ‘San Clemente Downtown Business Association’ is currently building a new website (www.villagesanclemente.com) that will benefit all of our community, especially the DBA members. For the first time ever, summaries of the DBA meetings will be posted so all can keep abreast of important issues. Also available on the site is a business directory, maps, calendar of events and more.
Even more importantly, a new Blog is in the works for their website that will allow open online discussions on any and all subject matters pertaining to the city. This is a great opportunity for residents and members alike to express their ideas, feelings and points of view effecting our village by the sea.
Yes, the internet is growing rapidly, now, more than ever. We are seeing more and more people understanding the need for a professional, well designed, well navigated website for their business. With so many people using the web to find what they’re looking for before they get in the car and drive anywhere, you had best have a site that is capturing in every way. This is no time to skimp on your web-based advertising. A website that looks amateurish will make your business look that way, but a professional site will make you look professional.
So, are websites expensive? The answer is easy, yes and no. You can find companies that are inexpensive out there, but it won’t be a custom design and will not reflect your business in a provocative way. In today’s world, where you get what you pay for, it is in your best interest to hire a website development company with an emphasis on the graphic design aspects, the technical backend and a hosting company that is fast, reliable and redundant with all available scripts to run forms and data bases smoothly. You may pay more for a company that has all these necessary ingredients, but the outcome will pay for itself ten fold. For example, how would a luxury B&B Inn get customers to their inn without a beautiful, picturesque website to show their rooms in an alluring way? From this web developer’s point of view, these days, the internet and your website is the best bang for your advertising buck. It is how your customers will find you, see what you’re about, and come to you for their needs.
Today’s internet has seen many changes and upgrading in the last decade, and it will be fascinating to see what happens in the next one. Like rock ‘n roll, it will never die. b