| Some of the questions you should consider and | | | | There are so many options on the Internet today, |
| research before even setting a web site up are: | | | | that it could be mind boggling to a newbie. Doing a |
| Need a web site? What kind? How big? What do you | | | | little research on the Internet before setting a web |
| want to do with it? We'll give you a few tips here to | | | | site up is a very good idea. It will help you become |
| help you make a more informed choice. | | | | familiar with all the different web site options and |
| How Important Are Domain Names To You and | | | | features available so you can make a better choice |
| What's In a Name? | | | | before you get started. |
| A domain name is a web site address and can be | | | | Some of the things you'll need to consider before |
| used only once. They are usually made up of words | | | | setting up a web site are: |
| or letters so they are easier to remember and can | | | | Q: What is the objective of your web site? |
| be more relevant to a person or business. Extensions | | | | A: Teach? Show and tell? Make money? Build an email |
| are the codes at the end of a domain name. The | | | | list? Have fun? |
| extensions signify which country the domain name | | | | Q: How many pages will you need - 3, 5, 10 or more |
| belongs to, i.e., .ws belongs to Samoa and .us is an | | | | pages? |
| extension of the United States domain names. | | | | A: Some web sites limit the number of pages or |
| Having the perfect domain name can be important if | | | | bandwidth available. |
| you are promoting a product, service or yourself. In | | | | Q: How much should you pay per month? |
| this case, you may want a web site name with a .ws | | | | A: This can vary from usually $3.95 to $100 or more |
| extension, because you may more likely find just the | | | | for a monthly fee. |
| name you're looking for. Dot com and dot net domain | | | | Q: What is disk space? |
| names have become scarce since the dot com boom | | | | A: How much space is available for your web site |
| of the lat 1990's. | | | | words, pictures, reviews, etc. |
| Domain names can also be more important to you if | | | | Q: What is bandwidth? |
| you want a domain name that relates to something | | | | A: How many times and how many people can |
| you know is being searched for on the Internet and | | | | access your site during a period. |
| if you want to be found when people are searching | | | | Q: What is down time? |
| for that name or keyword. Some of the larger | | | | A: How reliable is the server that your web site is |
| search engines like MSN and Google still give a higher | | | | on? |
| ranking faster to a web site that has the keyword | | | | Q: What is security and do you need it? |
| being searched for - in the web site or domain name | | | | A: Yes. Protection from hackers. Secure service |
| address. If a this is important to you, it might be a | | | | available for your customers. |
| good idea to find out what is being searched for on | | | | Does Size Really Matter? |
| the Internet that relates to the domain name you | | | | As you can see, there are many things to consider |
| have in mind before you choose one. | | | | before setting up a web site, but making the right |
| A free handy Internet tool that can help you do this | | | | choices up front can save you much time, effort and |
| can be found at . Just put a word or phrase related | | | | headache in the long run. If you set up a web site on |
| to the domain name you have in mind into the search | | | | a server that only allows 5 pages of space, and you |
| box window. It will search all the related terms that | | | | find you need more down the road, you would need |
| were searched for last month on the Internet, and | | | | to move your web site and domain name to a new |
| tell you how many times they were searched for. | | | | server, which could be quite involved. It may be |
| This tool can also identify related keywords you can | | | | easier for you to make a better choice up front if |
| use for your web site title and on your web site | | | | you have all the options available to you ahead of |
| pages that will help you achieve higher rankings in the | | | | time. A suggestion would be to type into your search |
| Internet search engines for those keywords, but this | | | | box window top 10 hosting or best hosting to get |
| is a whole other topic reserved for a later discussion. | | | | more information to help you make the right choice |
| Think About How You Want To Use Your Web Site... | | | | before setting up a web site. |
| What would you do with a web site? Teach? Show | | | | Bottom line, investigate your options and be |
| and tell? Make money? Build an email list? Have fun? | | | | prepared. Size really does matter. |