BusinessWeek have covered a story about an irrigation contractor, from Florida, who began a complaint website aimed at identifying deadbeat customers. That’s customers who hire for services, but then do not pay their bill.

The BusinessWeek writer, Rebecca Reisner, details the story of Robert Bodi who has worked all of his professional life to provide quality services to his customers. However, like most of us, Robert became sick and tired of dealing with dishonest & difficult individuals who won’t pay their bill!

With the help of his daughter, Robert created BusinessBeware.biz, a database of contractor experiences in trying to work with deadbeat clients. “Bad clients” are named, and prospective contractors can check the database to see if a particular individual has a history of defaulting on payment. Pretty useful in my opinion.

Both humorous and educational, another business owner harnessing the power of the internet … in a practical, yet unexpected way. Cool use of the .BIZ (Business) web address.

Fact: –> .BIZ broke the two million worldwide registrations mark in June, 2008.

.BIZ Domain Names, Internet Domains .biz, businessweek

As an advocate of the Internet’s official .BIZ (Business) web address, I like noting positive developments with the extension. This evening I happened upon several government institutions who have done a great job building out their sites on the .BIZ web address. 

The Nevada Secretary of State have acquired SecretaryofState.biz and produced a huge, beautifully designed site sporting a ton of information. Historically, local governments have opted for .us, .gov, and on occasion the .org. However, most State governments have a dedicated department which oversees the State’s Business & Procurement Division which is very “business-centric” making the .biz selection an appropriate choice.

The State of Illinois’ Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity run their site at IllinoisBiz.biz, and once again, we see a very deep site with a wealth of online information and functionality for Illinois businesses. 

The U.S. Census Bureau have their official website at CensusBureau.biz providing not only news about the upcoming 2010 national census, but posting all kinds of statistics regarding American households & families as well as “Business & Industry” economic indicators.

The National Small Business Association site at NSBA.biz is a tremendous advocacy group representing over 150,000 small businesses across America. They lobby for reforms that are advantagous to small business owners and strive for fair taxes and affordable health benefits for American workers.

Business and government seem to be moving along parallel routes these days with government moving into, and taking over, certain elements of the private sector.  Government has always been inextricably tied to big business in the USA. .BIZ should have no problem fulfilling both roles in the years to some.

.BIZ Domain Names, Internet Domains .biz, business