Tech Gadgets Reviews » World Wide Web

A Road Map to the World Wide Web: Web Site Planning and Preparation

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:46:30 +0000

The World Wide Web, also referred to as the Internet, offers businesses yet another media through which to educate, promote or sell their product or service, giving businesses and consumers instant access to one another 24/7. Can you believe it was once projected that the Internet would peak in the early 2000s? Today, statistics show that nearly one million new web sites are launched in the U.S. every year.

Having a web address and online presence has become as common place, and expected, as having a logo and business card. Business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing places a great demand as well as dependence on having a domain name (web address), company email address and web site. Why? They instill consumer confidence just like a physical office or store front, mailing address, phone number and business card.

It is a mistake for any business to overlook the value and importance the Internet plays in business success, not just globally but regionally too. Free web email addresses are acceptable for personal use but using them for business undermines credibility. Many businesses can exist and be successful without a web site however few can operate without email access. It is highly advisable that all businesses purchase a domain name and set up and use a company email address. Free web mail providers such as Yahoo.com make it easy and affordable to set up an online business identity without the cost of hosting, developing a web site or buying an email program.

At some point your business will be ready to enter the World Wide Web. When it is, be aware and prepared that your web site, if used to generate traffic and sales, is like running another business. Planning and preparation are both critical in setting up your web site, maintaining it and marketing your business online. Do your homework or you will be sorry. Research web hosting providers, packages and web design firms, know the fair market rate in your area and for the type of web site you desire. If possible consult with a marketing professional to determine your goals for the web site before your purchase hosting or web design services. Acquire a basic understanding of internet marketing before your web site is designed. Both design and content are critical to your online marketing, especially in Search Engine Optimization.

If your web site is going to be heavily content managed consider purchasing a web site building software or select a hosting provider and plan that includes a free web site builder. Note, this advice is not for everyone. There is a huge learning curve and time commitment to do it yourself, many free web site builders will not allow full customization of the template or graphics, and you will need to learn how to use web administration tools. This is not a feasible option for everyone.

If you select a web design firm or freelance web designer for your web site get everything in writing, all components and details of the design services, hosting and domain name registration as well as time frame to complete the project. It is the consumer’s responsibility to know and understand what services are provided by the web designer and what items you are expected to provide, such as content and graphics. Be aware that not all web designers are graphic designers, and vice versa. Do not expect the web designer to educate you on marketing your web site, including keywords and search engine optimization. These services may, however, be available through the web designer at additional cost.

Once published, your web site becomes a living, breathing entity that you will need to take care of: market, update or refresh, and maintain. If used correctly, your web site will continue to evolve as an integral part of your business, if not your sole business.

© 2006 Gabrielle Melisende. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author credit and follow all of the publisher guidelines for Articlesbase.com.

The Advent of World Wide Web and the Emergence of Web Site Management and Marketing

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:03:27 +0000

I found an interesting question as I was browsing the Internet and it was all about “who invented the world wide web and the emergence of web site management and marketing”. It sounds common but, really, the topic has generated many different answers (different names) and usually generate confusions, debates, etc. Well, of course, we are not surprised because we know, success has many parents while failure only few.

According to some, the world wide web (aka web) was invented by Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau in 1990. In 1989, while working at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), both men made proposals for hypertext systems. Others say, it was the product of collaborative idea of different individuals. Well, whoever is the parent of this spectacular product of imaginative mind, he deserves the best recognition.

What’s the definition of world wide web, by the way?

It is defined as a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet. It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet. It uses an HTTP protocol, only one of the languages over the Internet to transmit and receive data.

Today, as the number of Internet users continuous to grow, another emerging trends prompted along the way. Because, many businesses throughout the world are putting up business websites which aimed to boost sales and profit, here comes what we call web site management and marketing issues.

Website management and marketing are two different things but both are commonly used when we talk about building a website. Website management pertains to how capable you are to maintain your site above its competitors through proper site management. Well that includes creating an ideal architecture, web designs and most especially regular site update.

On the other hand, marketing on-line has something to do with your campaign in order to achieve your business goals with the help of your website and this can include things such as search engine optimization, advertising campaign—among other marketing elements.

Regular site update is a thing that many on-line businesses need to take care of because this can make or break their business success. Because many businesses are just overwhelmed with other important tasks, they usually set aside regular site update which usually a big factor of not hitting the target. Fortunately, today, there are site update service providers who are handling issues like this. Many website owners are availing for the services they provide as they find it very useful for their business.

Day by day, a vast number of web pages are added into the Internet because many understand the importance of putting up a website for their business growth. As this trend continuous, website management and marketing will remain a thing of great role to achieving real business growth despite the huge on-line business competitions.

Steps to List Your Business in Local Search

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:52:25 +0000

For some time now to be listed locally all you had to do for a business was have it listed in the yellow page phone book. In fact the phone book has been an important part of our history growing in size for several years. Now however, there are new ways to get in a local search. First you no longer need the actual yellow pages phone book delivered to your door each year, because that same book is online. In fact the phone book online is even better. Yellow pages online are called internet yellow pages or IYP’s. As long as you are listed in your hardcopy yellow pages you will be added to a few of the IYP’s since they use the regular phone book to create their database. Still, there are other ways to get yourself locally listed that we will look at here.
Google is one of the top online search engines who has been behind the updates for local search options. For Google you can login to the local business centre to deal with your local listing online. You will need to sign up with the business centre and create an account. Of course if you have other Google services you should not need to create a new account.
Once you have logged in you are able to give Google business information. If you do not have a local listing you will have to create one, but if one is already there just ensure all information is correct or change it so that it is. Basically all you are doing is entering information into a spreadsheet creating a data feed that Google can translate into the listing shown to internet users.
You will see country, company, street address, city, state, zip, phone, email, website, and description on the left hand side of the form. On the right hand side of the form is a Google map which will become narrowed as you enter information. You will see exactly what the internet user will see from the map and information you input. This is why you must make sure it is correct.
For the phone number, you are not to list an 800 number if you want to get the best rankings. You can list it somewhere on the site and even in the information, but you still want to have something local to show more evidence.
The good thing about local listings is that you do not need to employ an expensive search engine optimisation company to help you get listed unlike the rest of the natural listings within the major search engines.