(32) Track Blog Visitors

As I've kept this "journal", and pointed it out in other discussion groups or blogs, it became apparent that I should know how many people are in fact looking at/reading this - in order to better tailor the content or discussion. So I poked around, and found that "Statcounter.com" is a great, easy, free and ad-free (you don't see their ad on my site!) service to get statistics on your blog visitors. This is especially helpful, as my network of blogs and sites evolves, to understand whether references and links or doing the trick. Ultimately, this network of blogs and sites will be the marketing and selling machine for this invention, so it's good to get an early view into what kind of online exposure works, and what doesn't.

Met with the designer yesterday, to review the first prototype together - agreed on a list of 5 or 6 things to modify, and then get a full prototype run done (12 pieces). It's very helpful that this designer really knows and has good relations with the local manufacturer doing the prototypes; between them, they're able to make tweaks, corrections and suggestions for an overall better product, that's easier to manufacture, than I could ever do. Make sure your designer has good contacts with the manufacturing industry.

Speaking of the manufacturing industry, a fellow I work with appears to have a good contact network in India for "offshoring" the high-volume manufacturing (should it ever get to that). I will begin exploring this, if only to truly learn the ins and outs, as well as the costs and investments I'd need to make to see this happen. Didn't actually know there was a lot of offshore manufacturing going on in India; all the press seems to point to China right now...