Jason Irish leaves a legacy behind
Lakeland's webmaster of two and a half years is moving on to Kohler Company
Brian Moser
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Features
"There is a rule called the three click rule," Jason said. "If a user can't get to what they want in three clicks, then the user will move on to the next site. For example, applying online is like two clicks and giving money is a couple of clicks."
With the new look and the new philosophy, the Lakeland Web site started receiving more and more hits.
"After the new site went up, the visits went up a little, but the page views went up 400 to 500 percent for the first month," Jason said.
He explained to me that a visit is when you first visit the site and has an hour timer after you close the page that if you visit the site within the hour, it counts as the same visit. Page views are just the number of pages that the people view.
"The average number of page views per visit was something like 20 for the first few months," Jason said. "I think people were finding out that the Lakeland Web site had more to offer them."
The preparation for the update was time consuming. "The design was ready by October, but we needed to convert all of the Web pages by hand," Jason said.
During the whole interview, Jason couldn't stop commending his two staffers Neal Grosskopf and Chris Retlich. "Those guys are wonderful," he said. "I enjoy working with students and teaching them techniques on how to build a Web site and then build upon that. They are two extremely talented individuals that did just that."
Now, Jason will be leaving Lakeland to work at Kohler. "It was a very hard decision," Jason said. "Lakeland is an awesome atmosphere to work in, but the opportunity to work with an international Web site for a huge company was something I wanted."
After talking about what the Lakeland Web site is going to be without him, Jason just laughed and replied, "No one is going to notice."
I was stunned, but he explained his claim. "Chris and Neal are so talented that it won't take a hit at all. Also, I have made the website efficient and easy to update. Most of my time here recently has been just maintaining all of the services Lakeland offers like e-mail marketing."
Jason also has is working on a side project called PageBuildr, which helps people create a personal website with pictures, music, video clips, and more. Chris, Neal, and two of his employees from his company DynamicDevelop LLC are helping him create this service for everyone looking to make a Web site for themselves. Visit www.pagebuildr.com for more information.
Jason might be leaving Lakeland, but his legacy will live on in the Web site he elevated to be ranked nationally and left an impression on all of the people he touched at Lakeland.
With the new look and the new philosophy, the Lakeland Web site started receiving more and more hits.
"After the new site went up, the visits went up a little, but the page views went up 400 to 500 percent for the first month," Jason said.
He explained to me that a visit is when you first visit the site and has an hour timer after you close the page that if you visit the site within the hour, it counts as the same visit. Page views are just the number of pages that the people view.
"The average number of page views per visit was something like 20 for the first few months," Jason said. "I think people were finding out that the Lakeland Web site had more to offer them."
The preparation for the update was time consuming. "The design was ready by October, but we needed to convert all of the Web pages by hand," Jason said.
During the whole interview, Jason couldn't stop commending his two staffers Neal Grosskopf and Chris Retlich. "Those guys are wonderful," he said. "I enjoy working with students and teaching them techniques on how to build a Web site and then build upon that. They are two extremely talented individuals that did just that."
Now, Jason will be leaving Lakeland to work at Kohler. "It was a very hard decision," Jason said. "Lakeland is an awesome atmosphere to work in, but the opportunity to work with an international Web site for a huge company was something I wanted."
After talking about what the Lakeland Web site is going to be without him, Jason just laughed and replied, "No one is going to notice."
I was stunned, but he explained his claim. "Chris and Neal are so talented that it won't take a hit at all. Also, I have made the website efficient and easy to update. Most of my time here recently has been just maintaining all of the services Lakeland offers like e-mail marketing."
Jason also has is working on a side project called PageBuildr, which helps people create a personal website with pictures, music, video clips, and more. Chris, Neal, and two of his employees from his company DynamicDevelop LLC are helping him create this service for everyone looking to make a Web site for themselves. Visit www.pagebuildr.com for more information.
Jason might be leaving Lakeland, but his legacy will live on in the Web site he elevated to be ranked nationally and left an impression on all of the people he touched at Lakeland.
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