Speedy Rewards from Speedway Gas Stations
For the last couple months I have went to Speedway for gas. Each time I go there the rewards coupons spit out of a machine and also gives me this Speedy Rewards Instant Coupon. The coupon states “You Could Win Free Gas For A Year” and gives you a code. The coupon gives you a URL www.SpeedyRewards.com. It states to follow the instructions on the website to play the Speedy Rewards Gas Giveaway.

Sounds easy doesn’t it? Not so simple. You go to that URL and you can find nothing at all about where you enter your code. If you happen to try SpeedWay.com you do see a image to click. But if you click it you are forwarded to the same website that has no real way to enter the code.

If you happen to use Google to try to find out how to enter this code, “Speedway gas giveaway”. The first link is a URL that looks like it might work. But no, it just forwards you to the same place that has no real way to enter the code. No information on the so-called giveaway.

I have been around for some time now, I haven’t found something so hard to do as find a place to enter this code. I’m not the only one. This thread about the gas for a year giveaway has many people having the same issues.

It is to late for me to do more testing. But I don’t think there should be this many issues with playing a giveaway. This is another problem with poor website management. The company should of had the site fully tested with all major browsers and operating systems. There is really no excuse.

If I can find some people today to try to get to the code entry box, then I will give them my codes. But I’m sure they will have the same issues.

The thread has several that say they have no issues, but they could easily work for the company or the web management company or it works sometimes. Anyway, there is still no excuse for the poor layout.

Shopping Online Bothersome
Often I shop online and have issues with websites not working correctly. Earlier this year I shopped for some pet products at PetSmart.com. It became a headache, as I would place items in the cart and they would disappear during checkout. I finally had to open Internet Explorer to start my order all over again with Pet Smart. I went ahead and emailed their technical department, who called me a few weeks later to ask for help debugging their issue. Unfortunately I had other issues going on to deal with. I haven’t been back to see if the site still has issues.

Today I decided to place an order at Barnes & Noble for a book called Professional Search Engine Optimization with PHP. The book mentions my web hosting company GotWebHost.com on page 25. I tried adding my member card a few times at Barnes & Noble’s website, but it wasn’t taking it. The FAQ’s made it sound like you put it in the coupon code spot. That is what I was trying to do. I called them, and the customer service rep was very helpful and prepared to take the order. As soon as she said sometimes the membership number box doesn’t show up for some people I knew what the problem was. I opened Internet Explorer and had no problems order and seeing the membership number box. I told her she should let her the technical department know they are having issues with Firefox.

Both companies were having issues during checkout when a consumer (myself) was using Firefox. Most consumers would of probably gave up. I can’t image how many sales they have lost. Sales they should of never lost. With all the advertising these big companies do, I would think they would have someone on staff in their technical departments that checks for browser issues. Since these sites may be updated often, they should be checked often. Firefox may not be as popular as IE, but it is a well known browser. It is a strict browser as well. So if the development teams build and test in Firefox, most likely it will work in IE as well.

Now if a website could just track how many sales are lost because of browser issues, even if you knew a percentage of sales lost. You could track how much advertising money was wasted because the website wasn’t prepared to do business with all users.

2007 A New Year
Now that 2007 has begun, it is time to plan where I’m going this year. So far I’m heading to Vegas this month. If you are going to Vegas between January 14 - 17 then I will see you there! Next I’m supposed to go to Pheonix the end of March. This conflicts with my kids Spring Break, so I’m not sure on plans for that one yet. Then in November I plan on being at Ad Tech in New York. I’m looking forward to being there.

New Project
I have worked about 9 months on my newest project and looking forward to being a part of this website as it grows. Over the last 9 years, I have learned everything from servers to graphics to scripts and so much more. And throughout that time I have had many friends help me and have had the chance to help many friends. I have found that helping others has always been a big part of what I enjoy doing. So helping people is a big part of this newest project. Do you want to know more?

Introducing Digital-Boards.com
Digital-Boards.com is a unique consumer network. The consumer network provides consumers with articles on consumer issues like spamming, secure websites, phishing and more. Advertisers that are listed in our directory will have to pass our scoring system to become an Ad Sponsor. Our scoring system is consumer friendly. Digital-Boards.com gives consumers many opportunities to become a part of this community with blogs and a forum. Digital-Boards.com will have tons of articles added to it in 2007. But even better, all these articles can be listen to directly on our website via podcasts. Our Consumer Forum will have many prizes for consumers that become a member of our forum and participate in discussions.

What do Ad Sponsors Get?
Ad Sponsors will get a position on our jumpstation, full page listing in our hand built directory, podcasting of their listing which is fed to itunes and other podcasting websites, and so much more. For more information on advertising with Digital-Boards.com visit DigitalBoardAds.com.

Thank You
I must say Thank You to both my partners. They both have taken care of so much in the last year while I was working hard on this new project. They both have also done so much and helped me so much in the past 3 years while I have been sick. Thank you Debbie and Lloyd.

2006 Is Over
But it was a great year. In 2006 Got Web Host continued to grow. In 2006 we added Virtual Private Servers and standard dedicated servers. Currently we are updating our standard server offers, we want our customers to have the best. We also added Got Ad Tracker, to help our hosting clients in tracking their sales. Got Web Host has had so many compliments from our clients, we know it will grow even more in 2007.

Over The Mark’s directories continue to grow. For those looking for fast and affordable links, our directories give you that.

Personally, I have worked hard to improve my health. In 2006 I gave up coffee, I gave up soda, I gave up smoking, I improved my eating habits and I added supplements to my diet. This along with simply walking has helped me get back to 100%. Which is where I plan on staying.

I missed doing this year end post. I have been pretty busy on our newest project. You will hear about that in my next post.