If you have a Web site or are thinking about starting one,
here are some essential elements for a Web site owner to be aware of:
1. Domain Registration: Register your domain
name (www.yourdomain.com, .net, .us, .org, etc.)
yourself. There are many registrars online that will allow you to do
so easily and affordably, some for less than $10.00 per year. Being in
control of your domain registration will allow you to "point" your
domain to a hosting server of your choice. This is usually done by entering
in two sets fo nameserver information, which your host will provide.
If a third party does register your domain, be sure that they
list you or your
organization
as the registered
owner and
not themselves, as well as include your email address in the contact
info.
2. Web Hosting: Your Web site will be hosted on an Internet server, a computer that will
house your Web site files and process any
functionality such as shopping carts, email, databases, etc. Shop around
for hosting options, they vary from inexpensive do-it-yourself options,
to managed hosting plans, to exorbitantly expensive plans that are unpractical.
What you need to accomplish with your Web site will determine what your
hosting needs are.
3. Web Design and Development: When it comes
to Web site design, less can often be more. Your Web site should load
quickly and yet be visually
stimulating. Try to maintain a consistency of look with any pre-existing
marketing material you have in place. Avoid bombarding your visitors
with tons of miscellaneous information and links, keep your content precise
and to the point, and be sure all of your links work properly and that
information is presented in an organized manner. Further development
can allow you to accept online orders, process payments, store customer
info in a database, etc. The type of development you need will depend
on what your company wants to accomplish with the Web site. The bottom
line is that even a simple Web site should be beneficial to your organization
when well designed.
4. Caution: Keep in mind that anyone, anywhere
in the world, can access your Web site, so take caution with what you
make public. The Internet
offers wonders of information exchange, but sadly that can sometimes
work against us, depending on who accesses the information and for
what reasons. Focus
on publishing informative content related to your products and services
only, and keep personal or sensitive information private as much
as possible. Remember your competitors are also checking you out on the
Web and to take caution with all inquiries. People may say they are
something
that they're not. Perhaps follow up with a phone call and references
before closing any deals or appointments, and have a backup plan for
your company if your site crashes.
5. Promotion: Once your Web site is designed and hosted
you will be ready for visitors, but how are you going to get them to
visit
your site?
Make sure a major search engine indexes your Web site. If the Web site
is coded correctly, this will be automatic but may take a few weeks.
Be sure your Web site address appears on all of your marketing material,
and direct customers to your Web site for specific reasons, ie. coupons,
specials, additional info, etc. Also, explore the many online marketing
opportunities as well as traditional print ads.
6. Maintenance: Be sure to pay all domain
registration and hosting fees on time. If you have hired a Web designer
to build your Web site, ask if they can set you up to do your own updates.
You may be surprised how easily it can be done and being able to do self-maintenance
allows you to get the most out of your Web site. Be sure to receive backup
copies of your Web site files, in case you ever need to move or restore
your Web site.
Good luck and have fun publishing! |
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