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A company’s Web site has become a must-have marketing tool in today’s marketplace. However, some companies might still be confused about what really goes into making a Web site.
The following guidelines will help you understand more about the Web site building process and ultimately create a successful Web site.
- Deciding on a Domain Name
First of all, your Web site needs an address, which is also known as your domain name. Remember, the simpler the better! When you are choosing a domain name, try to keep it short, memorable and yet make sure it still reflects your business. You can check the availability of your domain name by looking it up at whois.com or another similar domain company. Your first choice might be taken, but it could be about to expire. Many domain names are released back to market daily. When it is time to purchase your domain name, remember to check the tech support reliability of the domain company. It is worth every dime to save you time and trouble in the future.
- Working with Web Hosting
Simply put, Web hosting is storage for your Web site. Your domain name is pointed to a specific Web hosting server which allows your Web site to display in the browser. There are many plans for Web hosting, and different plans are customized for different Web site functionalities. Therefore, you should know the purpose of your Web site before beginning the building process. For example, selling a product requires a different plan than simply promoting an event or service. If you are not sure what functionalities you need, you can always choose a basic plan and upgrade later when needed. Once you settle on a plan, it is time to shop around and research the best prices and services. An excellent tech support team is crucial. To test the tech support, send an e-mail to the support team and see how fast they respond.
- Developing a Web Site
There are two ways you can go about developing a site. If you’re Web-savvy, you’ll probably be able to figure out how to build a simple Web site by using software like Front Page or Dreamweaver. Otherwise, you’ll save a lot of time and trouble by hiring a professional who can give you exactly what you’re looking for. A Web site consists of two parts: front-end and back-end. The front-end is the part you can visualize – the look and feel of the Web site. The back-end is more behind-the-scenes where the programming code “talks” to the computer to build the site’s structure. The most common languages used to build sites include html, php and asp. A Web site built with Flash is beautiful and full of exciting movement but, unfortunately, is not search engine-friendly. Writing good meta tags is a good way to make sure your Flash-built Web site is able to be read by a search engine.
- Publishing a Web Site
This is the part where all of your hard work will pay off – it is time to share a beautiful new Web site with the public! To transfer your Web site from your computer to the World Wide Web, you need to ask your best friend, Web hosting, for help. Your hosting has online software that allows you to upload your files to the server, or it can provide you with FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access. There are many choices of free FTP software you can easily find online. For example, FireFTP from Firefox is a great choice and has proven to be user-friendly and problem-free. Now, you are ready to upload your files and let the world see your Web site. Have fun!
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