Website Promotion: Can I do it with low or no budget?

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Brenda | Leave a reply

Actually, yes you can. Here are a few free or low cost ways to promote your website and your business: (WARNING – some homework may be required!):

Write press releases and submit to local publications (announce anything new with your business- new employee, new website, new offering, new location, etc.)
Create a links page and ask complimentary businesses to link to your website – one hand washes the other- I’ll add a link to your website, will you link to mine? Think of other business that would be good referrals sources for you, or compliment your services.
Make sure that any membership organizations that you belong to have current data and a link to your website – (IE local Chamber, business associations, etc.)
Make sure your web address is included on ALL printed materials (I.E. letterhead, business cards, vehicles, advertisements, brochures) that you use – and are included in all media outlets (Yes, even the press releases).
Make use of business directories and free online business listings (see Free Listings below)
Surf and search the Internet to see where your competitors are coming up. Investigate to find out how much it cost to be there too.
Search online to see who comes up first in the non-paid section of search engines results. Click the link to see if they offer free listings, free advertising, or low cost membership.

Free Listings: As with all things in life, sometimes we need to pay attention to the old sayings we’ve heard over and over. In this case, “You get what you pay for” or “Nothing in life is free”, may be applicable. Some companies, or online organizations, will let you submit your business information for free, with little hassle or obligations. BUT some, although they do not ask for money, do NOT come without any cost. For instance, once you submit your information to a free business-listing directory, normally you will receive an email that must be confirmed. Sometimes by confirming, you have automatically agreed to their terms and conditions. So use caution and pay attention to what these so called “free” listings want from you in return. Another thing to watch out for is automatically subscribing yourself to newsletters, email lists, et cetera. Some of these free services may want you to add a reciprocal link to your website. Other free listings are only temporarily free and will convert to paid advertising in order to maintain the listing. Beware of the terms and conditions that you are agreeing to when providing your data or submitting your website URL (address) and/or email address.

What is a hosting service?

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Brenda | Leave a reply

A service provider that rents server space, a specific location that you could think of as an apartment for your web pages. A web server is simply a computer that supports Internet access and serves web pages for the public to view via the Internet.

Which extension (TLD) should I use for my domain name?

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Brenda | Leave a reply

The extension, or TLD Top Level Domain, that you choose for your web address can vary depending on availability, the type of business, the location of the business and a variety of other factors. Today there are many options. Common TLDs include .com (commercial), .org (organization), .edu (educational institutions), .net (networks), .gov (U.S. government)and .mil (U.S. military). Some of these options are only applicable to certain qualifying companies or organizations. For instance, only the US government agencies can register a domain name using the . gov extension. Other restrictions apply. The most commonly used extensions for US companies is the .com. You may want to consider using a .net, if your first choice domain is not available, but keep in mind that you may unwittingly send your viewers to a competitor’s site.

What is a domain name?

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Brenda | Leave a reply

A domain name is simply a web address. For example, “www.yourbusinessname.com”. It is your online identity. It is also known as a URL, or a Uniform Resource Locator, which simply refers to a resource on the Internet (such as a document or an image) by its location.

Once you have registered a domain name with an Internet Registrar the domain name belongs to you and cannot be registered by any other party at that point, however, domain registrations are limited to a specified time and will expire after the time specified. Domain name renewals are necessary to protect your ownership.

What are web standards?

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Brenda | Leave a reply

Web standards are the formal standards and other technical specifications identified by the web community that define and describe aspects of the World Wide Web. In recent years, the term has been more frequently associated with a growing trend to ensure simple, affordable access to web technologies for all.

Why do I need to know about web standards?

Building with web standards benefits both site owners and users by increasing accessibilty for users (i.e. hearing impaired, those who use screen readers, et cetera), allowing a harmonious relationship with search engines, and enabling site developers to identify and make changes with ease and efficiency.

How much does hosting cost?

Posted on June 24, 2006 by Brenda | Leave a reply

Hosting service costs vary greatly in price, customer service , support, and available features. As the saying goes…you get what you pay for. Sure you can find a less expensive hosting service provider, but…what kind of ‘service‘ will they offer to you? We offer a local source and support system so if you have a problem you call or email us. We will take care of your issue and contact you when it is corrected. You will not have to call us 5 times and explain the whole issue from the beginning to several different people. You will not have to press 1 for technical support and then 3 for email related issues and then 2 for immediate assistance. You will not have submit a written trouble ticket or speak to someone that is employed at a call center in another part of the world. We are locally owned and operated. We even publish our cell phone numbers for off-duty contact.

We offer three hosting packages:

The basic package cost is $199.95 if you prepay for one year. The basic package offers 450 MB of file storage, 5 GB of file transfer, (5) POP3 email accounts or aliases, 1 MySQL Database, auto-responders, and more!
The deluxe package cost is $299.95 if you prepay for one year. The deluxe package offers 1000 MB of file storage, 20 GB of file transfer, (15) POP3 email accounts or aliases, auto-responders, web mail, 5 MySQL Databases, pre-configured scripts and much more !
The Total Host package cost is $468.00 if you prepay for one year, or $39.00 per month with auto-recurring billing using a debit or credit card. This all-in-one solution includes everything you need to be worry free.
At $39.00 per month it offers:
- Security patches and site clean up (for WordPress websites only), as needed if hackers get into your site.
- Automatic software upgrades to keep your website using the latest technological advances.
- Automatic domain name renewal.
- Automated monthly billing service using electronic banking.
- No worries, no hassles…you’re covered with Total Host!

How much does a web site cost?

Posted on June 24, 2006 by Brenda | Leave a reply

All of our work is custom designed for our clients. However, we have established some pricing guidelines to help people understand some of the options, features, and different functionalities of websites. Below are a few examples.

Our Basic Static websites start @ $1,000.00. This type of package is usually used to initiate a web presence for informational purposes and/or advertising. This package is recommended for those sites that do not require a lot of regular maintenance, or changes. A typical five page site would include a home page, about us, contact, FAQ, and a products/services page. This starting price would include all necessary components of getting your business established on the World Wide Web. It includes design, navigational structure, and all development necessary to create a web standards compliant website. It also includes the first year of hosting fees and the first year domain registration fee. It is real good place to start.

Our Standard Database websites start @ $1,2500.00. This package is generally used for sites that have a high need for regular maintenance. A database driven site comes standard with a programmed content management system to allow the site owner to update various sections of the web site, even as a novice Internet user.

All database driven sites employ a back-end administrator that provides navigation and add/edit/delete functionality to all of the different database components and a “rich text” style editor in the administrator for editing the primarily text pages or general narrative sections. (I.E. Home, About Us, etc.)

Our E-Commerce Database websites start @ $2,500.00. This package is used to sell products through the web site typically unlimited product pages, category driven with navigation (IE. home page, about us, contact page, return policy page, legal disclaimer, unlimited products pages including a list of product descriptions and attributes (sizes, colors, etc.) with a product image). Custom programming provides a shopping cart for all products, including product pricing, shipping pricing, applicable taxes, shopping cart display output, confirmation, payment information, billing information, shipping information, etc. *Note: Customer must have a merchant account and secure online financial processing service. Web site must be hosted on a secure server that supports SSL, PHP, CGI, MySQL, and possibly PERL. All product sections will be updateable through the use of a back-end administrator and all static pages will be updateable through the use of a “rich-text” style editor.