A lot of people would like to have their own web site, but don’t really know what they need. Many companies take advantage of what others may not know. So I wanted to give you a brief over view of 3 things you need to have your own web site.
1. Domain Name
A domain name is the web address to where your web site will be found. Example: www.yournamehere.com. ".com" is the most popular domain name. Then most common addresses after that are ".net" and ".org".
Domains can be purchased as low as low as $9.99 per year. I get my domain names from GoDaddy.com. They only charge $9.99 per year, but if you look online for Go Daddy promo code (fatwallet.com), you can get a domain for $6.95 per year.
2. Web Host
A host is where your site files will be stored online on servers that are available 24 hours a day.
Many host are the same. But what you should pay attention too is storage space, bandwidth, features that allow you to auto-install free software such WordPress (Used for Blogs), photo galleries and more. Also make sure they offer a Money Back Guarantee in case you don’t like the services they provide.
I currently use Host Gator. They offer a plan for $4.95 a month, and a plan for $7.95 a month. I picked the plan for $7.95 so I can host more then one domain name with my host. Plus they offer this free software called Fantastico that allow you to set up WordPress, phpBB2 forums, OS Commerce store front, Coppermine Photo Gallery, and more for free scripts.
I like Host gator, but here are a few more options: iPower Web , Bluehost and Go Daddy.
3. Your Web Site
Your web site is the most important item on the list. A web site makes yourself or business available to the world, 24 hours a day. If you don’t have a online presence, you have no idea what opportunities you could be missing out on.
Where do you start?
There are many different routes. You can try to learn yourself, but this is no easy task. Designers spend years learning their craft. So this will not happen for you over night. You will need to get a understanding of graphic design, coding, and a understanding of good user interaction to make your site function well for your visitors.
Option #2 is buying a web site template. The advantages to this is you have options to pick out the design ahead of time before you pay. Plus, since it is a pre-made design, the cost may be cheaper. The problems with buying a template is it usually isn’t easy to modify to your companies brand. Modifying images, html, css, and other generic files that come with the design can be a pain to change. Also, most templates, look like templates, which will not give you a memorable web presence, and the flow of the site may not be unique for your content. So information may seem out of place.
Option #3 is to hire a professional. Many designers claim to be experts, but many are not. A good web site should be easy to use, fast loading, and very memorable.
Finding a good designer is no easy task, so it may take a few meetings with designer to find that right person.
Here are a few things too ask a web designer to see if he or she is qualified to create your web site.
- Check out their portfolio work? (See if they produced quality work. Ask if they did it all alone, of if others were involved.)
- Ask if they can write a table-less web site? ( Its best to have your site created in CSS, because it is search engine friendly, easier to update, and faster loading. )
- Ask if they understand Search Engine Optimization? ( This will help with your site being found in search engines.)
- Ask if they have they created any web sites for your type of business?
- Ask if they test their web sites in multiple web browsers? ( There are 5 major web browsers, and you want your site to work properly in all of them. ( Browser Names: Internet Explorer 6,7,8, Fire Fox, Safari, Google Chrome, Opera )
Those were 5 general questions to see if the person may be qualified for the project. Here are some more question you can ask them: 20 Good Questions to Ask.
In conclusion, if you don’t have the desire and patience to learn to design and code a site. Getting a designer may be the best solution. Make sure they are qualified to produce quality work. Lastly, if you want to see what good design work looks like, please check out our portfolio, we have been designer for over 10 years.
Hope this article is helpful.
