Tags: learningabout the internet, getting started with an online business, building your website, blogs, marketing, web development

I am always getting e-mail from business owners who, in their crunch for time have opted to conveniently go to a host/web design/web development/domain registrar all rolled into one… Not a good Idea!

Let me tell you why.

I have dealt with many, many business owners who have been burned. They now have to deal with the difficulties of redoing mistakes that didn’t have to occur in the first place.

Many business owners who are brilliant at what they do are also clueless when it comes to the Internet and all the things that must be done to develop a website, register a domain name and host that website.

Or they may know enough but want the convenience of a one stop shop so they can be free to operate their business. Sound like a great idea right!

WRONG…

Why you should not sign-up for services from one vendor.

When you register a domain name through a host you are at the host’s mercy. A lot of time you are actually not the domain name owner you are actually “renting” the name. So let’s say you decide you do not like the host – your website has a lot of down time – you cannot get the emails to work right etc.. You go shopping for another host – then you find out you cannot transfer the domain name, and you have built your business using that name …

Situation: Let’s say your host just doesn’t want to transfer the domain name and will not release the domain name. Where do your go?

Well that is the 24 million dollar question.

This is devastating – you have worked so hard to build your business what now?

If that happens to you there is really not much you can do but register a new name. That can really be like starting over and can set back your business – costing you time and money.

Solution: Register your domain name with a service like godaddy.com. They have inexpensive domain name’s, you have complete control over where you transfer those names and host your website.

If or when you find you are unhappy with a host you have chosen, find another host and transfer that domain name, with no interruption to your business … Problem solved.

Situation: You have found a host that also designs. They will design you website inexpensively. So you have the host put together the website for you. Let say you are unhappy with the host – they do not live up to what they promise or change hands and suddenly you email is down and everything is a mess.

Guess what – you will find that the website you have had them develop will have to stay with that host, you cannot transfer it.

More than likely you are paying a premium price to just host the site. This adds up to much more money than paying a little more up front and owning your own website – and paying pennies on the dollar to host the site.

On top of that – a lot of these hosts will give you a brochure site that is not a true marketing site.

Lets say initially you are happy with that small static website, then you get more educated and realize you need more and want to market to your visitors. You want an auto responder and you need to build an online data-base.

This is when you will pay a big price – they usually charge you an arm and a leg to update your site.

You end up spending more and getting a design that they say is custom but actually is customized (a lot of people have the same site just a different banner). To be honest with you these host usually have second rate designers (not all of them but most). They cannot afford to pay a real designer what they are worth…

Solution: Find a web developer that can converse with you about your needs. If they are good they will have no problem helping you with questions you may have about hosting, etc.

Make sure you are comfortable with the individual you are thinking about hiring. Don’t mistake – arrogance with knowledge.

Do make sure you have an experienced professional, someone who knows the tricks of the trade, and someone who understands how to build a marketing website and will know how to really help you reach your ultimate goals.

You need to find a professional that will be able to direct and guide you. Educate you on how to build you online business, helping you to break down the costs and work within your budget.

If you can’t initially afford to get the whole thing done in one shot – it shouldn’t be a problem for your web developer to build you’re website in phases.

Make sure you are working with the designer/developer themselves and you are not working with a sales rep. that will promise you everything and then deliver something less then you bargained for…

Let’s say you have found a host that allows you to build and design your own website.

How cool is that!!

Well don’t take this wrong but let me tell you – most of you are not designers! Sorry to break it to you…

Seriously, most business owners do not have the talent or the knowledge to design a website that will look professional.

Most of these programs that allow you to build your own website are very limited in what they can do. You have to use their graphics and banners. Or you have to have graphic designer knowledge to know how to design and upload your own graphic’s, on top of that these hosts are usually very expensive.

When you figure you will be hosting your website (basically forever) – you could have a professional website, pay a host a small amount each month and save a lot of money. Get my drift?

I could go on forever with true scenarios, working in this field for so long you see everything!

To put it simply – be careful, do your home work, make sure you are working with a credible professional.

One option you may want to consider.

What about hiring a consultant/project manager that knows the ropes? This profession should be seasoned and have worked with the internet – someone who has been in the business and knows the ins and outs, someone who can outline for you options and information that will give you a solid foundation.

I hope you are able to read this article before you have made these mistakes – and if not please pass it on to other people.

If you would like to know more please contact me! My goal is to educate and make successful all people who want to have a thriving online business.

Pamela Jacob – Artista Design

Tags: startup online business, must know, hosting, all in one packages, marketing, business success, newbie advice, understanding your options, building an online business

Now I may be a little prejudice, but I must tell you when I get these ads that say:

You can now do your own website – get rid of you web designer do it yourself – or – Build a website yourself; we give you all the tools – or – Host with us, build your own website and updated it with our new super duper template builder (only $100. a month, ugh!).

I cringe, on the surface it sounds really good. Why not save bundles of money doing it yourself – after all you are on a limited budget. However, I have had too many new business owners that have gone through that route and came to me with disastrous results.

Let me explain myself.

Building a website is like building your store (brick and mortar). Now if I sent you an advertisement stating – build your own store, I will give you all the tools, and you will save a bundle on having a professional builder do it. You think WOW, that is a good idea – you pay me my $49.95 and I give you the tools to do it.

When you look around, and you see all the saws, hammers, nails, cement mixers, wood, brick, sheet rock, pipes, etc. laying there in a pile would you know what to do?

Even if I gave you a 300 page book with directions – are you up to the task? Of course not – unless you are a contractor that has had the extensive experience of building offices before.

OK then let’s say you see all the stuff and think – I will just get some more books on how to build an office building…

Do you genuinely think that would be the thing that would give you the expertise to know how to build an attractive – store inside and out? Then you realize you have to buy the lot to build the store front on. Then you have to do the signage…

This may sound like an exaggeration but makes my point.

The time and effort you would put into building your website – doesn’t mean you are good at creating the look and feel that your clients would be attracted to. What about making sure that you site is a marketing machine? Do you know how to build that type of website? Do you know how to collect names from your visitors so you can market to them? Your website should give a professional presentation – the appearance layout and content should be done with the help of a professional.

There are places to cut expenses and your website is not one of them.

There are millions of web designer – but not all have the gift of design as well as the extensive experience to know exactly what you need in order to make your websites a viable commodity. Your best bet is to find a designer that you have confidence in – you know they are familiar with all aspects of an e-business website and can guide you in the right direction.

Hire a professional that has been in the industry long enough to know what it takes to have a successful website.

When you hire the right professional web designer/developer you’re not only getting an expert at building an effective on-line presentation, but the guidance they give you will be invaluable.