Are you one of those people who has just never gotten
around to taking your business or organization to the
Internet? Or do you, perhaps, have a website that just
doesn’t meet your expectations any longer? Is it time to
finally join your competitors on the Web?
Like any other business tool, a website is an investment
from which you should expect an appropriate return.
However, as with any tool, the value is only as good as
what goes into producing it.
• So just how do you go about getting an effective
website online?
• How do you know what your website should look like and
how it should function?
• Will you work with a developer or do it yourself?
Before you decide, consider the following issues…
The Building Blocks of a Website with “Presence”
>>Site Content (web pages, text, graphics,
etc.) – requires a one-time process that creates the
content and design (visual concept) of a website that
will be published.
>>An “Address” and space on the Web –
requires Hosting Service. You cannot do this yourself!
It requires web and e-mail servers, software, and
equipment that uses a high-end data connection to allow
the website to be accessible to the Internet structure.
>>Support and Maintenance – requires
website management for upkeep of website content,
monitoring for problems/changes (broken links, etc.),
troubleshooting, web-based marketing, search engine
optimization and promotion of the website, etc.
>>A Domain Name – requires registration by
an Internet Registrar who then maintains and protects
your domain name record and renews it when necessary in
the central Internet database.
Do Your Homework Before Web Development
You must know your preferences and your business needs
before you can know what a website should do for you.
Search the web for websites of businesses or
organizations that are similar to yours. For example, if
you are an insurance agent, search for other
insurance-oriented web sites and even sites belonging to
other financially-oriented businesses. Look at the scope
of the website content as well as the design and
functionality. Ask yourself what you like and what you
do not. Then make a list. This helps you define your
style and scope; and, if you will be working with a web
designer, it is the only way that the designer can gain
the necessary insight into your expectations.
Understand the role of your website before it is built.
Will it allow you to buy and sell products and services
online? Will it distribute information and materials to
clients or prospects? Will it serve your organization’s
membership with opportunities for sharing information,
and more?
Think about how your business process flows and decide
how the website will fit. If you are working with a web
developer, they will know everything about creating your
web presence, but they cannot begin to know your
business rules and culture. So be prepared to explain
how you do business.
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This article is the property of the Gilman Group, and
it may be shared provided this block is included and
proper credit is given. Pam Hoffman is the owner of the
Gilman Group, Web Presence and Marketing firm in Glen
Rock, PA. (www.gilmangroup.com). Their clients span the
globe and come from many different industries. If you
are considering a new website or a website makeover,
consider the Gilman Group (800-317-5145).
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