Developing & Maintaining Your Own Website

Introduction Every day it becomes clearer that the Net is taking its place alongside the other great transformational technologies that first challenged, and then fundamentally changed, the way things are done in the world. - Louis Gerstner, Chairman & CEO of IBM

Question… How do you decide whether to create a business website?

Question… How do you decide whether to create a business website? Do your competitors have websites? Where are your customers located? What questions are commonly asked?

What we’ll cover Website development –Domain names –Content –Design –Building –Hosting Website maintenance –Monitoring use –Updating

Website Development Requires a plan Takes time Will cost money Hire help or professional assistance if needed

Domain Names Domain name is your internet address/identity Typically the business name –Ex. Mercer Vu Farms – Can be a product name –Ex. Mountain Dew – product of PepsiCo, Inc

Domain Names Two parts –Label –Extension Mercervufarm.com Possible extensions –.com,.net,.org,.edu,.gov,.info,.biz labelextension Domain Name Registrars The popular registrars:

Domain Names Two options –Stand alone website Ex. Yourbusinessname.com –Your website is part of a larger website Ex. Earthlink.com/yourbusinessname Can register a domain name without creating a website

Website Content Only include pertinent information Get input & feedback from people familiar with your business Start simple –Can always add content and features

Question… What content should a business’s website include?

Website Content Content Musts Business name Contact information –Address –Phone number –Fax number – address Business description Product descriptions and/or photos Service descriptions

Website Content Possible content Company logo Company vision and/or mission statement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Purchasing Information Special project info Calendar of events Product use ideas/suggestions Forms/links for sending

Website Content Content must be accurate, clear, and explicit –Don’t assume people know what you mean or understand what you’re telling them Must abide by information presented on the website –Updating is essential when things change Ex. Product prices increase

Website Design Develop content before designing the site People form instant opinions –Designs should Be eye-catching, appealing, not too busy Encourage people to stay & explore Clean & Professional Use flow charts or storyboards

Website Design Check out other websites for design elements that you do and don’t like. –

Building the Website Two choices –You Saves money Takes time away from other activities May take longer depending on ability/knowledge –Lose potential sales –Someone else May be costly Already possesses the skills/knowledge Website can be finished more quickly

Website Hosting Websites need a home – called a server Internal or External hosting –Internal You house and maintain the server Typically more expensive Requires experienced technical knowledge –External Someone else owns and maintains the server Multiple websites on the same server Most internet service providers (ISPs) offer hosting services. Also local hosting businesses.

Website Hosting Hosting Service Considerations –Support for the software and programming language used to design your website –Web space or storage space needed –Bandwidth – speed and amount of data you can transmit –Back-up services –Other software offered Shopping carts, , forums, blogs, etc.

Brief Review Steps to Build a Website 1.Register a domain name 2.Develop content 3.Develop a design 4.Build the site 5.Find someplace to host the site

Website Maintenance Need to keep your website up to date and error free –You can do this yourself or hire it to be done People stop visiting websites with incorrect, out of date, or old information

Monitoring Use Monitoring methods –Logs –Visits –Hits –Cookies Utilize website monitoring software –Provided by hosting services –Purchase your own

Monitoring Use Use information from web monitoring to decide on necessary updates –Is the website being found? What are you best sources of traffic? –Are people leaving quickly? No hits on sub-pages

Question… How do you know when and what to update?

Updating a website How do you know when and what to update? –Dependent on content New, Seasonal products? Monthly newsletter? –Get feedback from visitors Feedback forms

Section Wrap-Up Website development takes time Process involved –Register a domain name –Develop content –Develop design –Build the site –Find hosting Regularly monitor use Maintain and update as needed Get assistance!