Choosing the correct domain name and host for your website is crucial. Unless you have already bought a name you will have to check availability
A domain name is your Web site’s URL, e.g. www.adverse remortgage.com and is also sometimes called a hostname. You have to decide whether you are going to go for a local name e.g. Smiths.co.uk or the more global Smiths.com or .net or .org.
Discuss this with your website host to find out the difference in cost involved. Domain names are sometimes colloquially and incorrectly referred to by marketers as “web addresses”. Just because you cannot see a money_made_clear.co.uk online does not mean the domain name is available. Someone might have already bought it and is waiting to sell or develop it. A .com domain name needs to be paid upfront
By using unique word addresses instead of numerical ones, websites’ domain names are more user friendly for clients and Internet users. By using your company’s name as your host name, this will form part of your marketing strategy. When compiling your hostname, you will be restricted to the letters a to z (that will be case sensitive) as well as the digits 0 – 9 and a hyphen, with some more restrictions.
Who will be hosting your domain? Will it be the same person that has set up the website for you? You might choose to use a CMS or a custom-built website. Look on the Internet or ask friends for a reference of a good hosting provider. You will normally need to pay a yearly fee for hosting the domain.
When planning your website, start getting a folder ready to compile content for the person who is going to build the site. For your homepage you will need a copy of your logo as well as your mission statement if applicable. Think of your home page as your foyer where you welcome new customers. Introduce yourself or your team and company with relevant experience.
Go on to explain in a few lines your products or services. Keep in mind the keywords that your target market might use when trying to locate you on the web. Using them more often might increase your hit rate, but don’t jeopardise your writing style.
Remember that images say more than a 1000 words! Most images are not causing sites to be slow anymore – we can now compress them to a very low resolution. If you have a very personalised service, consider an image of yourself. Or entice your potential client with an image of your best product and or service.
When planning your product section decide whether you need a catalogue, and if so will it be with or without pop up images? Other pages you might want to include and can be applicable to your business is a blog, photogallery, links, FAQ’s, and application forms.
Discuss all your decisions with your website builder or an expert on the subject, building a website is just as important as building a new office.
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