• The Process

The first step in the process is the domain name. I work with clients to determine an appropriate name, its availability, and the term of its registration. A shorter, easy to remember domain name is better than a long one.

After considering the nature of your proposed web site, web site hosting is reviewed. Hosting is where your web site is stored and made available to the internet. There are a wide variety of hosting services available, and depending on which services are needed I will make several recommendations. As your site grows, you will want the flexibility to add additional services.

The technology required for your site is an important decision. Flash based, action script sites that have e-commerce capabilities take longer and, cost more than simple template driven HTML web sites. I don't believe in one size fits all approaches.

The content of your site, the written word and images, is critical. Depending on what materials are available and how much they need to be reworked will influence the cost and delivery time. Your visitor will ultimately judge your success based on your content.

Once your site is up and running, web site promotion is a must to make your investment pay off. Search engines, online directories, banner ads and pay per click ads are only a few of the options available to you. Don't forget to include your new web site address on all of your printed material.

As your site matures it's not uncommon to make changes and additions. A well designed site anticipates future needs. You should consider making periodic updates so that your visitors have a reason to return.