1   What are the benefits of a web site?
2   Do I need my own domain name?
3   What are the different options in web sites?
4   Should I have my web site professionally designed?
5   Should I have an online catalog?
6   Should I offer discounts on my web site?
7   Should I include links from my web site to other sites?
8   What types of content could attract visitors to my site?
9   Why does my web site look different on different browsers or computers?
10  How should I promote my web site?

 

1  What are the benefits of a web site?
More and more people and businesses are realizing the great potential a web site holds. It reaches people from around the world, including those around your local area. Visiting an informative, professional, interesting web site will help persuade them to visit your location. A professional web site enhances your company image and reaches potential business contacts, and customers. (top of page)

2  Do I need my own domain name?
There are plenty of advantages a domain name has versus having a prefix attached to your internet service provider. A domain name can give you instant recognition (i.e. www.yourcompany.com). It is also easy to locate as well. To many, a domain name simply looks professional. (top of page)

3  What are the different options in web sites?
You probably have noticed there are many different web sites out there! There are shopping sites, game sites, informative sites, news sites, commercial sites, and personal web sites. Your web site is totally dependent on what you intend to do with it. Do you intend to offer products online? Post information for your employees? Post a brochure of your services? Usually, interesting web sites are those that mix all of the above, with specialization in one area. (top of page)

4  Should I have my web site professionally designed?
Depending on the vision you have for your web site, a professionally designed web site is advantageous for many reasons. Web designers are experienced in maximizing layout, graphics, colors, programming, and text to get your web site noticed and your visitors coming back. (top of page)

5  Should I have an online catalog?
Featuring an online catalog of products and/or services is a good idea because it keeps your visitors informed of your company. It is especially nice because your visitors can be updated about products and prices without having to wait for a print catalog. (top of page)

6  Should I offer discounts on my web site?
Discounts and specials are a great incentive for visitors to frequent your web site, or contact you through other means. (top of page)

7  Should I include links from my web site to other web sites?
Web site visitors appreciate all the resources they can get on the internet - and if you can lead them in a specific direction, they will view your site as informative and helpful. However, there are certain considerations to take before dropping links that lead to other pages on your web site. Keep all your links relevant to the information you provide on your web site. Also, never lead your visitors away from your web site - this means ensuring that the link opens in a new window, or building your site in frames. (top of page)

8  What types of content attract visitors to my site?
There are plenty of ways to attract visitors to your web site and keep them coming back. Information is first and foremost. A good web site is always informative, whether it be about your company, your products and/or services, or your interests. Features such as discounts and promotionals, news, games, and a unique web site design help as well. (top of page)

9  Why does my web site look different on different browsers or computers? There are various computers, different monitor color resolutions and sizes, and different web browsers with which your visitors can view your web site, therefore, it's a given your site will look a little different from each one. This is one problem web developers face when designing a web site. If you know who your audience is, you have the advantage of catering to their browser and platform. Usually, professional web sites are designed as browser-independently as possible, making it look super for the majority of your viewers, and ensuring it looks "ok" if not good to viewers using older browsers and computers. (top of page)

10  How should I promote my web site?
Publicizing your web site is necessary for it to be successful. There are many ways to promote your site, some relatively inexpensive. A few ways are: registration on search engines, web banners, and ads, online mailings, newsletters, and making sure all your printed material has your web address on it. (top of page)