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MT-10
Web Sites SCORE Chapter 570 |
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USING
A WEB SITE TO ENHANCE |
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(Adapted
from Computerworld May 31,1999 “Hanging out Your Electronic
Shingle” ) If you want to develop a Web
site for your business as an additional marketing tool and it does not
require e-commerce transactions like credit card or other financial
transactions, then here are some tips for your consideration. Business Enhancement Uses The primary purpose of your
Web site is to advertise and add credibility to your business. But also,
consultants, lawyers, doctors, health care providers, authors, architects,
builders, etc., can use a Web site to enhance their business. The site can be
used as more than just a marketing tool. Savvy business owners have
integrated them into the operation of their business. For example, some
consultants and others use their site as a sort of mini extranet, creating
sections and pages on an as-needed basis to communicate with specific
prospects and clients. This can be
particularly useful if time or distance makes it difficult to hold
face-to-face meetings. The sections can contain client-specific drawings or
proposals and can be password protected. Others have used their site as a
networking mechanism to document information and add information to a body of
knowledge. Workers on the road can
keep in touch with each other and document findings for others to use or analyze
while they are at the job site. Estimated Cost The cost of a Web site can
vary depending on the services to which you subscribe. Web hosting can cost
anywhere from $200 to $400, or more per year. Domain registration is $70 for
two years, and registering your site with the top search engines ranges from
free to about $100. Software to create
the site may range from $100 to $500. Of course, don’t
expect the Web site to make you rich and famous. It is very rare that a site devoted to
providing information can strike gold. However, if used correctly your site
can enhance your business. Web Site Development Tips Keep it simple Focus on content and keep the design clean and easy
to use. Concentrate on quick
page-loading rather than flashy graphics. Include business mission and/or
objectives statement, a list of projects or clients (with their permission),
products and services, and contact information. Include a staff list or it
you have regular subcontractors or partners, list them also. Include a page
that demonstrates your specialties, experience, expertise, or methodologies. Resist Your Ego Remember that this is a
professional site, not a personal one so pictures of your spouse, children,
cats, etc. are inappropriate. If you
have a personal Web site, you can link from it to your business site but not
vice versa. Register Your Domain Name Your site is much more
likely to be found if you have a unique Web address rather than a sub domain
under an internet Service Provider. Most search engines can not handle sub
domains. Choose a Reliable Host A lot of Web-hosting
services are fly-by-night operations, so be careful of bargains that appear
to be out of the ordinary. Look for a
service that is in business for the long haul and that guarantees
availability. Get the Word Out Register your site with
search engines. You should enlist the aid of search engines and link
submission sites. Include the Web address of your site on your correspondence
letterhead, business cards, pamphlets, all advertising material, etc. Tips on How to Boost Traffic to Your Site The
art of Business Web Site Promotion The ins and outs of how to promote your Web site that includes an authoritative (if opinionated) FAQ on how to register your site with search engines. It also features software downloads of site submission tools, a message board, and more. Virtual,
Promote A comprehensive guide to promoting your Web site including an explanation of meta tags and guidelines on devising keywords. Search
Engine Watch The inside dope on how search engines operate and how to maximize your exposure with them. How to
Register Your Site Use the following to submit your Web addresses to get automatic registration with the major Internet search engines and directories: Submit
It! Fee-based search engine registration service. Link-O-Matic Fee-based linking service. Self
Promotion www.selfpromotion.com Free, robot-based search engine registration service; a $10 donation is suggested if you’re satisfied with the results. How
to Measure Your Site’s Effectiveness Check your sites effectiveness with the following sites: Link
Popularity Generally a free report showing how successful your submissions have been. Enter your Web address, click the “Tell Me My Popularity” button and receive a list of how many links you have to your site from AltaVista, HotBot, and Infoseek. Search
Engine Simulator See how the search engines read your site headers. Rank
This! Determine how effective your keywords are in getting ranking at 10 major search engines. Discussion groups and tips on how to improve your search-engine rating are also featured. |
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