What are the components of an Internet website project?
The main elements are:
- Domain Name (Website address....something.com)
- Website Server
- Webpage Design
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Are all "Website Servers" created equal?
No. In fact, this is where people (and large companies) make their FIRST
mistake. Regardless of the price they spent, the website servers that they
selected typically can NOT handle the features & tools they desire on their
website. And forget about expansion and growth for the future....their website
servers can't even handle their needs today! Another big issue is the reliability
of the website server...if it's not up you're losing money.
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Ok great...why are your website servers so good?
Our business depends on us selecting all of the right tools for our clients.
Our clients trust us to make the right decisions and we cannot afford to drop
them into the fire. Over the years we have carefully screened and qualified
many website server companies and have built an alliance with high quality,
reputable firms with state-of-the-are equipment. We don't really design
"webpages" like other webmasters....instead, we design "custom software" that
self-configures a webpage to fullfill the Internet user's request. Our custom
software requires special website servers and so we have to be very carefull
in our website server partners. By doing this, we can build powerfull, interactive,
dynamic websites with tools and features that leave most webmasters scratching
their heads in wonder.
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Are all "Webpage Designs" created equal?
Yikes!....no way. If it doesn't matter what image you are projecting to your
customers then using the kid down the street to design your webpages with a
$99 software program will save you money. I know that sounds simplified, but
just look at how most webpages are built...they use that same approach...no
matter how much money they spent!. On the other hand, a properly designed
website should have purpose, focus, intuitiveness, be fast to download and
easy to navigate through. It should provide e-commerce, a customer database
system (there is so much money in this it's amazing how people forget about it!),
a custom and personalized e-mailing system, and an automatic follow-up system.
And...to top it off...shouldn't it have some kind of updating system to enable
you to easily make changes on your own, 24/7 without ever talking to the
webpage designer? No THATS a website you can be proud of...while you are
standing in line and the bank!
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What are the "key elements" to a successfull Internet website?
The key elements that you need to address are:
- Website Server
- Database Server
- E-mail Server
- Active, dynamic webpages
- Intiutive, Ease of use for your customers
- "Smart Menu" system to enable easy navigation through your website
- Customer & Orders database system
- Security, firewall, back-up systems and plans
- Easy to make changes to the "content" of your website
- Immediate follow-up system for orders or inquiries
- Customized, personalized e-mail system
- Integration of new and emerging technologies
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Whoa...a "Website Server" and a "Database Server" and an "E-mail Server"?
What's that all about?
Those are the fundamental technologies that need to be employed on every
successfull Internet website project. On smaller projects all three can
usually be either grouped together or put on "shared servers". However, when
you start getting really heavy traffic you will need to re-evaluate your
Internet servers. Your Website Server will probabley need to be upgraded
to a high-traffic server. You will definately want to have a separate
Database Server so you can guarantee the quality and reliablity of your
databases. You will also need to address the data backup and security
issues to protect yourself from hackers. A separate E-mail Server is necessary
if your organization wants to offer and maintain a large number of e-mail
address with your own domain name (jack@MyCompany.com, jill@MyCompany.com, etc).
That type of e-mail system demonstrates that your company has a cohesive
Internet plan and that you are taking full advantage of these technologies.
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What should I look for to ensure our website project plan is complete?
- Comprehensiveness
- Ease of use
- Adherence to standars and integration with other products
- Modularity
- Scalability
- Cross-platform support
- Management and Administrative support
- Vendor support
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How to choose a web design firm - A How-to Guide
Designing your own Web site is becoming more feasible every day. But is that the best use of your time? More importantly, will the result accomplish your goals?
Web sites have become as numerous as stars in the sky. With so many to choose from, users will quickly flee amateurish sites. Creating the complex marriage of form and function that characterizes a killer Web site may require the help of a professional designer.
First, however, you ought to assess your goals before selecting a designer.
For instance, do you want to:
Provide content only?
Sell products?
Build a database for mailings?
Survey customers/prospects?
Integrate the site with your business system?
To begin with, you must know your market. Your Web site is a form of advertising. The design and content should fit the demographics of your target audience.
This Buying Guide will help you understand what Web site designers do and how to choose one.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING
· Does the firm understand your business and your goals for your site?
· Does the firm design pages from scratch or does it take a cookie-cutter approach?
· Does the firm perform the design in-house, or does it contract the work out?
· Is there an additional charge for digitizing photos and artwork?
· Does the firm offer writing services?
· Can the firm support provide enhancements, such as forms and e-mail hyper-linking?
· How often can you update your site and what's the cost?
BUYER BEWARE
Designing an effective Web site requires an blend of technical savvy and marketing smarts. It's important to find a designer with strong skills in both areas.
A good design house should be willing and able to answer all of your technical questions. The firm also should grasp basic communication, marketing and advertising strategies.
Don't get the run-around. Request that an account representative be assigned specially to you.
Insist that your page be accessible to all browser software -- even if it means the page won't have every possible bell and whistle.
Browse the design firm's own Web site as well as those of its clients and see how those pages look and perform. Remember to note those you like best.
Develop detailed specifications, get a firm estimate and tie your payments to milestones. Withhold a small portion for 30 days following completion in case bugs need corrections.
Obtain rights to any proprietary software the designer uses in case the developer goes out of business or the relationship with the developer ends.
Make sure you have the option to post your site with the Web host of your choice.
Obtain guarantees that none of the site's material violates anyone's intellectual property rights.
FACTORS THAT IMPACT COST
A host of factors drive the cost of Web site design. They include:
· The degree of functionality the designer must include.
· The number of pages in a site.
· The amount of graphics the designer must create.
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