Web Hosting
Before you pick a web host there are a multitude of questions
that must be answered. Rather than cover every single one of these
here, we're going to list a few and what the response may be.
How much web space are you going to need? That depends on
what your web site is going to look like. Are you going to have a
lot of pictures? If so, what size are these pictures? Do you want an
on-line catalog for your customers to access? Is there a need for an
on-line database in your company? Questions such as these make it
virtually impossible for us to determine how much space you're going
to need without actually evaluating your needs.
What type of server do you need? XHTML, DHTML, ASP, JAVA,
Flash and XML. These are just a few of the methods of coding a web
page and they don't all work equally well on different servers.
Again, we'll evaluate your needs and make a recommendation as to
what type of server you should use to host your web site, even if we
can't provide that type of server.
Do you want your own domain name? Nothing looks less
professional than a web address that looks like this:
http://www.aol.com/members/billybob/mypage.html
http://www.swbell.net/billybob.html
First, who's going to remember all that. If you company name is
Widgets, Inc., why not register widgetsinc.com for your domain name.
Your e-mail will come to
theboss@widgetsinc.com or whatever e-mail address you wish. With
the many domain extensions available today there's a greater choice
you might be able to actually get the domain name you want.
Do you really want a web page or just domain name e-mail?
Many people don't actually need a web page but still want a static
e-mail address. With the multitude of choices for internet access,
it's possible to change multiple times and still retain your e-mail
address. You can use one of the many e-mail programs to check your
e-mail or web based mail is also available.
Is there a need for a secure site? Unless you're taking
credit card or check information over your web site, there's
generally not the need. But you might also want to secure a database
from prying eyes. we can provide a secure site for just about
anything you're going to need. Also, if you are selling, you don't
actually need a secure site to process the credit cards. There are
plenty of other services that you can link to providing that
capability.
Web Design
Even more critical than the web hosting questions are the web
design criteria. Consider some of these.
What software is necessary to design and upload a web site?
That depends on how much of the actual task you're going to be
taking on yourself. Are you going to do all the design yourself or
will you be relying on The Trillian Companies to design and maintain
your web site. A few of our clients have used our services for their
initial web design and took over maintenance themselves.
Are changes necessary? Yes, maintenance is necessary. Your
clients must have a need to return to your site on a regular basis
or they won't be kept abreast of your company's latest services and
products. If they return a couple of times and there's nothing new,
they see no reason to return again and might even get the idea that
your company's not keeping up. We recommend modifications at the
very least once a month, preferably weekly. These changes can
be put on a schedule so the work is actually performed ahead of
time. This means you can modify your site monthly and have weekly
and even daily changes without input on your part.
Flash or not to flash? Web sites designed with Flash have
a little more pizzazz and appeal to the eye. But you can overdo it
and it might take forever to download and just won't run on certain
computers. This web site uses Flash for the intro and the graphic in
the upper left hand corner. Nothing fancy but it adds just a little
to the overall look.
ASP or not to ASP? Web sites done with Active Server
Pages, like Flash have more impact than static pages. See
http://www.integratedlighting.com for an example of a web site
that utilizes Active Server Pages.
How many pages and what should they include? It's just
like making a catalog that contains a lot of specific information
about your company. What do you want your customers and even more
importantly, your potential customers to know about you, your
company, your products, your services and your policies. Before even
beginning to think of how many pages your web site should include we
go over a check-list with you to evaluate your needs.
What should you say? If you don't know how to put it into
words and we don't feel comfortable doing it, we have access to some
of the best copy writers in Tulsa. What you say is just as important
as how it's laid out.
E-Mail
Let's face it. It's almost impossible to survive in this day and
age without e-mail. What better way can you send information to a
customer across town or even the world in just a few seconds. Modify
your proposal and have it in their hands within, literally, just a
few seconds.
Whether you're using AOL or any other internet access service
you'll get an e-mail address. Chances are real good that e-mail
address will be something like
mlg1493@aol.com. How difficult is that for your customers to
remember? Why not have an e-mail address like
mjones@thejonescompany.com.
We register the domain thejonescompany.com and host your e-mail.
You can have multiple e-mail addresses (info, sales, service,
etc.) and you also get a 'catch-all' account. That means that ANY
mail sent to that domain for which you don't have a specific mailbox
setup will go to the main e-mail address. If somebody misspells the
e-mail address of one of your employees, their e-mail will still be
delivered to the catch-all address and won't be lost or returned as
undeliverable. As it is right now, if you have your e-mail address
of mlg1493@aol.com and they
don't enter that correctly, you will not get your e-mail, somebody
else will.
Summary
Here are examples of sites that we've been involved with.
Whether that was guidance or complete web design varies from one
site to another. http://www.gtind.com
http://www.dvis.org
http://www.teamcrude.com
http://www.2fellas.com
http://www.integratedlighting.com These will serve as a small example
of our capabilities and what we can do for you with your web site.
Of course your site will be designed specifically for you just like
each of the sites above. Cookie cutter web sites don't work. As you can see, web hosting and design is not a simple process.
We've only touched the surface of what knowledge is required before
even beginning the process of assembling your web site, much less
hosting it. But you should get started on that process today. You
can bet your competition is working on something already. |
