A Website Primer

1. A Website Primer What You Should Know About Owning a Website presented by Joan M. Hale e-Media Services www.e-mediaservices.com

2. Agenda • Set up Internet access and e-mail accounts. • Choose and register a domain name. • Contract a web hosting company. • Determine your objective for owning a web site. A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

3. Set up Internet Access • An Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides access to the Internet and e-mail accounts: • Comcast, Verizon, Cox, AOL, MSN, etc. • Types of Service: • Dial-up: (56K Modem - phone line) • DSL: (High Speed - phone line) • Cable: (includes Digital Voice) • Wireless (Wi-Fi): (no phone lineuses radio signals) A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

4. Set Up Your E-Mail Account • Business E-Mail • Business professionals should, use your domain name as your e-mail address, for example: name@mydomain.com • Free E-Mail • Free e-mail provided by MSN Hotmail, Google g-mail, etc. • A “Hotmail” address is suitable for family and personal use. • The service provider’s promotional information will appear at the bottom of every e-mail you send. A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

5. Register a Domain Name • Domain Name Registrar • Network Solutions, GoDaddy, Register.com, etc. • Detailed instructions are provided on the main page. • Yearly registration is from $9 - $35/yr, with discounts for multiple year registrations. • You will need to provide a credit card to secure the domain name. • The contact information you use when registering will be the permanent record with the Registrar. You will be given a User Name and Password to access your account. A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

6. Choose a Domain Name • Choose a Domain Name for Your Web Site. • Choose a name that will relate to your business, be easy to remember, and not be too long. • Choose an extension: .com(commercial) .net(internet) .org(non-profit) .info (informational) .biz(business) .ws(website) .us(United States) A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

7. Web Hosting Company • Contract With a Web Hosting Company • What is a web hosting company? • A web hosting company is where your website files are stored on a server (computer) that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Does the web hosting company need to be located in my city? • No. The web hosting company can be • located anywhere in the U.S. or the world. A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

8. Web Hosting Company • Using an Internet search engine, type in “web hosting” in the search field. A list of web hosting companies will appear for you to choose from. • Check out the various hosting packages and pricing. For a simple website, you may choose a basic package, and upgrade as necessary. • Most web hosting companies provide e-mail for an additional fee, or for free. • Be sure your are listed as the “Registrant” or owner of your domain name, because some web designers may list their name as registrant when they register domain names for customers. A WEB SITE PRIMER: Getting Started

9. Why Have a Website? As an information source about your company or services As a personal site for sharing information with family and friends Conduct online sales of your products or services Decide Your Objective for Owning a Website

10. Marketing Your Business A website as an information source about your company or services • Highlight: • Your company’s services • Company experience • Special offerings • Provide educational information • Informational links to related to your industry • What makes your company stand out from the rest. Focus on what you can do for your clients.

11. Free vs. Custom Web Sites Free Custom • Professional site for your company • You have control over design • Search engine placement to help visitors find your site • You choose your domain name. • $0 cash output • Limited control over design • Ad banners for hosting company on your pages • No search engine placement • No choice for domain name In the end . . . You get what you pay for.

12. A Website Optimized for Search Engines What is a search engine? Search engines are special websites on the Internet where you can go and search to find information on any subject. Some examples of the major Internet search engines include: -Google -Bing (MSN) - Yahoo - AOL - Wikipedia • -Dogpile • - Alta Vista • - Ask • -AskKids (search engine for kids) Information at Your Fingertips

13. Search Engines & Keywords What is a Keyword? Keywords describe your business products and services. Choose 25 keywords or phrases that best describes your company, products and services. Keywords are coded into each of your web pages for search engine spidering. accountant certified public accountant taxes accounting income tax preparation cpa tax consultant tax preparation Keywords are Key to Search Engine Listing

14. Related Links Informational links on your website might include industry related sites or online magazines, etc.: U.S. General Accounting Office www.gao.gov American Institute of Certified Public Accountants www.aicpa.org Financial Accounting Standards Board www.fasb.org National Association of Tax Professionals www.natptax.com Provide Educational Information for the Visitors to Your Website

15. Search Engines Results Keywords may also have lots of competition!

16. Website Design • Static Site • Contains no video, Flash animation or animated GIF files or movement on pages. • Animated Site • Contains Video, Javascript, Flash animation or animated GIF files. • Interactive Site • You participate in the site, e.g. play games, fill out forms, purchase online, etc. Use animations sparingly on your web pages!

17. Market Your Website www.myweb.com MYTH:“If you build it, they will come.” • Include your web address on: • Business cards & stationery. • Ads for newspapers, mailers, magazines, and yellow pages. • Beneath your signature on every e-mail you send. • Your Facebook or Twitter accounts. Promote your website on all your marketing materials!

18. Training for Web Updates Consider learning how to do your own website updates • Use web authoring software such as Expression Web or Dreamweaver. • You will be in total control of your website. • Seek a qualified training professional or visit your local college that offers a course in web authoring software. Being Self-Sufficient = “Efficiency”

19. Food For Thought • Your web site will project your business image globally. • It’s expected that a business owner will have a web site. • Carefully weigh the decision to go with a free site, or invest in a custom site. • Keep your web site fresh!!! • -Old information could project an image that your business is not in keeping with current trends, or new and innovative ways of doing business. Stay competitive, with current information.

20. Resources Good Luck! • Domain Name / Web Hosting Companies: • NetworkSolutions.com • GoDaddy.com • Web.com • Internet Service Providers: • Comcast.com • Verizon.com • Cox.com • MSN.com • Or, use one of the following Internet search engines to find a service provider: • Google.com • Yahoo.com • Bing.com • Ask.com For more information contact jhale@e-mediaservices.com