Web Hosting

Save Time and Money
A Web site makes your business more accessible to your customers, suppliers, and employees by providing information when they want it - night or day. With the ability to share files and information, your business saves on costly printing, paperwork, faxing, and messenger services.

Improve Customer Relationships
A Web site supplements brochures and sales calls, providing additional ways for your customers to learn about your business in depth. It also expands channels for communicating with customers using e-mail and online customer support.

Find New Customers
Post information about your business and products or services on your Web site. Offer customers ways to learn about your business at any time of day, not just during business hours.

What is the primary purpose of your Web site? To attract new customers? Improve customer service? Interact with business partners? Who will use your Web site? Customers or Clients? Suppliers or Vendors? Employees? How will they use your Web site? How often will you need to change the information on your Web site? Will the products or services change frequently? Will you want to feature special offers? Will customers expect to see something different each time they visit? So many questions! Help your business and your customers get the most from your Web site by thinking through these questions, and the rest is a breeze. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

Customers may use your Web site to get general information about your business such as your name, location, hours, and contact information. Other things to consider having customers do on your site include:

View samples of your work
Get detailed product information
Purchase or order products
Ask questions or contact someone to get more information
Schedule an appointment
Review the progress of a project
Download information, like brochures, or audio/video files
Vendors or Business Partners may view their account balances with your company on your Web site. Perhaps they may also:

Access custom catalogs and pricing
Order products for use in their business
Employees may use your Web site to collaborate with other employees and offices. And they may:

Reduce paperwork by moving some administrative functions online
Easily access the latest company information
Share best practices within the organization
All are unique audiences with different needs, implying different depths and types of interaction on your Web site. Seems overwhelming? Try starting with one primary use for your Web site, and add additional functions in the future to address other needs. You may also want to talk to your employees, customers, and suppliers for their ideas on the best purposes for your Web site.

Step 2: Pick a Domain Name for your Web site, and Register it

A "Domain Name" is how your customers will find you on the World Wide Web - it is your Web site address. Just like the sign and address above your front door, it lets your customers know where to look for you.

Select a Domain Name that is easy for your customers to remember. It might refer to the name of your business, or relate in some way to the business that you do. Make sure that you select a domain name that is not used or trademarked by another company. This will help protect your business from the time and expense to change the domain later.

Domain names can be up to 62 characters long and can contain letters, numbers and dashes. You can choose from several top-level domains (the part after the "dot") including:

.COM - Typically denotes a commercial enterprise
.NET - Usually reserved for businesses engaged in Internet infrastructure, like an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Web services company - like www.verizon.net
.ORG - Used primarily for non-profit organizations

More top-level domains are on the way, so you will have more selection in creating the right domain name for your business.

Once you've chosen your Domain Name, you must register it with an accredited Internet Corporation for Assigned Names (ICANN) registrar. It is always a good idea to have a back-up name, just in case the one you picked is already taken.

We does not guarantee your company name will be available for use as a domain name, and domain name registration is limited to .net, .com, and .org extensions. Prior to obtaining domain name service from us, you must accept the domain name registrar's terms and conditions of service."

To make sure customers can find your Web site even if they type in a similar-looking address, try registering your domain name under several extensions, or register spelling variations of your address.

Step 3: Create Your Web Site

Now that you have your own unique handle on the World Wide Web, it is time to design your Web site. There are several options for developing a Web site, whether you want to create it yourself or have someone create it for you.

We have several Web Site Design plans to get you started on the Web - FAST! We can even design your Web site for you. Click here to talk to our team.

The complexity of your Web site design will help determine which Web hosting solution you should choose. The two main options currently available are Microsoft Windows and Linux. Your choice of a Web server platform is determined by the needs of your Web site, and does not need to be the operating system your business uses for its computers or networks.

Windows Operating System
The Windows operating system makes it easy for developers to create your Web site and related applications on the Internet. With Windows providing a consistent framework, developers can assemble interrelated applications on your site. The Windows platform also offers software and data integration so your site can be linked to databases, mail servers, and other existing systems in your business.

Linux Operating System
Linux is an Unix-like operating system that offers all of the features expected in other operating systems at a very low cost. It has become more popular and more companies are changing it from Windows. It supports a wide variety of applications, and features some of the fastest TCP/IP drivers, shared libraries and multi-user capabilities. It can link to many more databases available.

Step 5: Load Your Web Site

You now have a vision for how your Web site will be used and by whom. You've picked and registered a special domain name, and designed a suitable Web site for your business. You've selected the best hosting platform for your Web site's unique requirements. Now, the virtual rubber meets the road as you take your new Web site live. To ensure the best possible experience, work out the kinks beforehand with your Web site design service (if you have one) and Web hosting service provider. Your hosting service provider will have specific instructions for loading your Web site to its Web servers, and will help you with your role.

Step 6: Market Your Web Site

Drive traffic to your new Web site in a variety of ways. Be sure to list your Web site on the Web's most popular search engines, include your new Web address in all your current advertising and stationery, and link your Web site to your industry's trade associations.

Search Engines
When a customer enters a topic into a search engine related to your business, your Web site (or pages within your Web site) appears in their search results. Your Web site can be optimized for the top Web search engines. This helps you achieve a top site ranking, and helps your Web site be the one returned most often in your customers' searches.

Advertising
Newspapers, Yellow Pages advertising, brochures and your business stationery - all your marketing communications can direct visitors to your new Web address.

Trade Organization Site Links
Just like networking with colleagues in your industry, your Web site can also network - and you don't even have to wear a suit! Keep your Web site visible in a variety of venues by linking to industry or organizational Web sites that relate to your business. Examples include Realtor.com� for real estate professionals, and RemodelToday.com, the site for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Some organizations may offer these and other marketing services at no cost to members, others may charge a fee.

Step 7: Improve Your Web Site

Improve your company's online experience and interaction with customers with features that improve your online business. Your customers and other Web site users can help you determine what is and isn't working on your Web site. Update or expand your Web site to fit your changing needs when you think you're ready. Features like passwords, protected areas, and audio/video clips can be easily integrated with your Web site. Or, choose to increase your storage space and transfer capacity to accommodate more traffic.