Getting your own website

[Gerald]

Websites consist of 3 parts.

1. The design
This can be done for you, or something you've hammered out using an html editing program.
Just remember, a child can be taught how to make a web page. That doesn't make him or her a web designer. Some people pay hundreds of dollars learning how to properly code a webpage and still produce garbage.
If you use a website to promote your business, don't get your brother's kid to slap something together for you because they made their own pokemon website.

2. The server
Okay, you have a design but unless you pay big $$$ converting your computer to an Internet server, you need a place to display your website.
What you pay depends on what you need.
Things to look for are "guaranteed uptime" of 99.9%, bandwidth limits and storage limits. A 1-800 customer support number is important as well in case you need to scream at someone.
Good web servers also include e-mail services so you can have a personalized e-mail address.

3. The Domain name
Now this is the easiest and the cheapest thing to acquire for your website.
Always make sure you have full control over your domain name. You can change servers and use different web designs, but as long as you have your domain name, visitors will always be able to find you.
The domain name is NOT part of your server space it “points to it”. I always purchase my domains from a separate company. That way I can easily switch servers if I don’t like the service I’m getting.
However, a lot of servers will include the cost of a domain name in the price of server space just as an added feature to get your business.
I’ve also seen a lot of situations where a web designer will refuse to turn over a domain name to a customer. This is highly unethical, but does happen and can really mess up your business.

Protect yourself get references before paying anyone to do any of the above for you.

[Liz]

Great Info Gerald!

[Mackenzie]

What happened to number 3

I know I see a lot of sites that use FLASH designs, that load slowly, and are really unattractive. A big thing people should stay away from, in my opinion, are huge files that load slowly (pictures or flash). When time is your money, people are in the mood NOW! It is not always so easy for them to sit and wait to see what they are getting themselves into!

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Mackenzie

What happened to number 3

I know I see a lot of sites that use FLASH designs, that load slowly, and are really unattractive. A big thing people should stay away from, in my opinion, are huge files that load slowly (pictures or flash). When time is your money, people are in the mood NOW! It is not always so easy for them to sit and wait to see what they are getting themselves into!

Good thing you are cute or I'd have to spank your bottom.

I don't like flash sites myself. They can look amazing on first view, but a site that is viewed repeatedly can really annoy the viewer with flash effects.
By the 3rd visit I'm usually swearing at it. lol