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At Marketcom, we want you to succeed. Here are some basics you need to get online with quality and knowledge.
Today, a web site is no longer a luxury but a necessity. A web site allows your business to reach more customers, in any location worldwide, to offer your product or service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and it will never have a bad or sick day.
Here’s a check list of what you need to get started.
 1. Domain
The name of your web site is called the domain name (i.e. www.yourcompany.com). It is the most important aspect of your site. Always have control and security by registering your own domain name.
Be mindful of the name you choose, you want your customers to remember your site’s address. So use easy to recall names and avoid, if you can, names that need special symbols or difficult spelling.
Click here to register your domain now.
2. Hosting
The hosting is where your web site (domain) is housed. Domain and hosting are two different items and you need to have a domain for your hosting to work. There are many hosting options available from small to large sites and you should pick a plan that will accommodate your web site needs.
Click here for web hosting options.
3. Web Site Design
The way your site functions determines your credibility in cyberspace. If a site is poorly designed with non functioning pages and links, people will most likely look elsewhere.
Sometimes the do-it-yourself site has its advantages. They are low cost and, in some cases, easy to put together. However, the level of knowledge needed for a web site is not an easy thing to acquire. For example... How will you get your graphics created? How are you going to get your forms to work with back end scripting? What is the best optimization process for pictures and photos? Do you have the experience to architect the site with a logical structure? And it goes on and on.
It is much better to contract your web site design work out.
Choose a design firm and the first thing to do is make sure they take into account the goals and strategy of your business. Make sure they understand your product and how to best describe it.
Work with the firm and determine the best layout and functionality of your site with them. Color selection, picture and text placement play critical roles in your reader’s response, so don’t be afraid to ask if something doesn’t quite look right to you.
Also know that just because a site has the latest and greatest “effects” will not necessarily generate sales. Take into account that the vast majority on the web are using dial-up connections which requires additional time for your site to load. If a site requires too much time for a vistior to see it, they will leave in frustation or start out in a negative frame of mind for your product.
Also consider your audience. For example, a consulting service site may not benefit from a design with a lot of moving images and the latest techno track playing in the background. Although animations with sound are popular in use, they can create distractions and, more importantly, visitor frustration and confusion ending-up with them your site leaving altogether.
Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting with your web design service. Know what is included and what components or services you will need after the site is completed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and most of all do comparative shopping. A lot of companies have overspent on web site development, be sure you are getting the right value.
Tips
When developing your web site, know the answers to the following questions:
- Is my site performing and living up to my expectations or is it just sitting in cyberspace?
- Is my site “user friendly” and easy to understand and navigate?
- Can my customers and visitors find what they’re looking for normally within 3 clicks?
- How does my prospective customers find my web site?
4. E-Commerce
E-commerce is the transaction of sales on the internet. Marketcom has a great section on “getting started in e-commerce” and “e-commerce setup, shopping cart solutions and consulting services” we provide.
5. E-Marketing
E-marketing is the strategy of getting your site noticed. Please visit Marketcom’s E-marketing page for information, tips and resources.
The Bottom Line
Only a third of all small businesses have a web site, and only a third of these sites can carry out a sales transaction. What these businesses don't realize is that they can probably profit from a web site and that they are in great need of a talented web professional service to show them that there are more profits to be made.
The future is now and it’s called e-business. A functional web site is absolutely essential to conduct effective business in today’s economy.
A web site is serious business and do not take your presentation lightly. A careful analysis before the project begins is essential for success.
We would be more than happy to discuss with you any web questions you may have. Please email us info@marketcom123.com
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