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| Internet |
 Getting Online - Who to Call First - Part
1 of 6By Tanis Arcuri - Arvis Search Services Inc. I know you have read millions of articles about the Internet, and I really do sympathize. It always seems like there is more information to learn, and even more people to willing to write about it. Yes, this is another article trying to articulate whom you need to call in order to get your business online. However, this topic must be relevant because people still have questions, which suggests there are some aspects of starting your web presence that need to be revisited. This is the beginning article in a 6 part series committed to explaining some of the lesser-known aspects of Internet business. The information in this article may be primitive to some and advanced to others, but you do need to be informed about what you really are required to do to get online, who you need to call, and what they can do for you. With that said, who do you need to call to get you on the Internet? The priority list should be as follows: 1) A domain name registrar. 2) A web host. 3) A web designer. A domain name registrar registers the domain name you want for your web site, such as ‘risingwomen.ca’. A web host is the person who provides you web site space on the Internet, And a web designer is the person who builds your web site. The reason I suggest going to your domain name registrar first is because you don’t need to have a web site built or hosted to own the domain name you want. If you secure your domain name immediately, the rest of your web presence can follow. The advantage to securing your domain name in advance is that you lessen the chances of some other company with a similar name securing it first. Another advantage is some domain registrars have ‘Domain Parking’ available where you can have a default ‘Under Construction’ page and still have immediate access to a business email address with your domain name extension, i.e.: email@risingwomen.ca. This will enable you to receive email before you even have your web site built! Your domain name is purchased per year, and will need to be renewed after your registration period is over. Next, you should research web hosts and web designers. Your web host gives you an address (IP Address) on their Web Servers (the Internet) for you to place your web site. Web hosts charge per month or per year for their services, where web designers will charge a lump sum for the creation and maintenance of your web site. You can search and find free web hosts out there - but like everything that’s free, one day there will be a catch. Be informed. As for the design of your web site, you can either do it yourself or have someone do it for you. There are obviously pro and cons in either instance. If you build your web site yourself, you will save in development fees and you will also gain valuable knowledge into the inner workings of your site. If you have a professional build your web site, your site will be finished must faster and there will be fewer programming and design errors when finished. In many cases your web host and web designer can be one in the same. Many companies see the benefit in providing a full hosting and design package to their customer. In the Internet industry there is too much to know for the newcomer, and that is why it is best to hire those who specialize in these different fields. Therefore, begin by finding a domain registrar to secure your domain name, a web host to put you on the Internet, and a web designer to give you the web site you need in order to be efficient, increase sales, and improve customer service. You have just been introduced to the three main people you need to contact in order to get online. Consider yourself ahead of the pack! After all, ahead is the best place to be. Tanis Arcuri is the marketing director of Arvic Search Services Inc., which helps individuals & small businesses get online & stay online through domain registration and e-commerce capabilities. Reach Tanis at tanis@arvic.com , or look at their services at www.arvic.com |