Web Site Questions and Answers
How should it be promoted? What should it look like? Can it be done on my own or should a professional be hired to do it?
These are just some of the questions that need to be answered first before designing a web site. Experts on this field can be turned to help and do the job for you. Doing it yourself would also be an option if you are taking into consideration the expenses and the time that can be saved by doing so. There are things that needed to be considered in designing your website. And questions, too.
What is the goal of the site? It would be helpful if you know from the start what you want your site to do. Simple as it may seem, you need to get ideas organized into clear details first. Think of the site in the point of view of others. The impressions that they would surely have upon seeing your site. Putting graphics and pictures into the site as attention-seekers is important to keep up with the many sites available nowadays. Having a site does not only mean having information to give and share. It also means creating an art work that people will be interested enough to see and read through.
What have the others got? By doing your homework and looking up probable competition sites, you can get an edge on what your site should possess. Do your homework. You can get lessons, feedbacks and even inspiration in seeing the works of other people. Looking them up does not mean you have to copy them. It means you have to think of other ways to get leverage over the others. Once this has been done, consider yourself on the frontline and be ready to set some trend.
How do you find a good designer? In this case, you have chosen someone to do the designs for you. In finding the right designer, choose someone who understands and is in harmony with what you want your site to be. It is important to note that some designers want their designs put into your site and not your designs into yours. Consider someone who is interested in what you’re doing, think your thoughts and makes them the center of their goal.
Is it accessible? Make it easy for people to see your site and contact you for any complaints or suggestions. Putting contact details would make it easier for people to not only get into your site but you as well.
What is there to remember? Keeping it simple. From the words to the logos to the graphic designs. People did not come into your site for those so stick to the more important things. Just KISS.
What is web site monitoring all about
What is web site monitoring all about? Here is Carl's story:
Carl returned to the office after a tough day of negotiations. He still was not sure if the crucial deal was on or off, but dinner would soon be waiting and he had just enough time left to check his emails and his phone messages.
He had twelve phone messages, every one of them urgent. Too late to call back right away; that would have to wait for morning.
His inbox held that familiar email report from his web site monitoring service. He smiled. As usual, there were no error alerts. That's what he liked to see -- his web site still performing well.
He looked carefully at the report. All the forms were functioning. The shopping cart, too. Password protection was functioning. At least he did not have to worry about his web site this evening.
There were still some download speed issues reported by the Hong Kong Monitoring Station. He made a mental note to raise the issue with his web host contact in the morning.
Just as he was putting on his jacket to leave, his cell phone rang.
A few minutes later, he called his wife. "Hi Ruby. How's dinner doing?"
"Great, Carl. You'll be home soon?"
"I was just about to leave when my cell phone rang. It was Dotcom-Monitor calling. It seems the web site went down. They were reporting from
"You mean your European customers can't access the site?" Ruby asked.
"That's what I thought at first. When the
"I guess that you won't be home for dinner."
"Sorry. I have to get on the line with the web host and straighten this all out."
"Hey, that's OK. I'm just happy you get instant those alerts. I would hate to see you get that call during our dinner and have to go all the way back into the office. Let me know when you're coming home."
"OK. I'll let you know as soon as I do. Bye."
Carl checked the more detailed report online. ( Here is an example: http://www.dotcom-monitor.com/AccessibilityCheck.asp )
As Carl dialed his ISP, he realized it would likely be a long evening. But not as long as if he received less frequent reports. And not as long as the next day would be if the web site had been offline for the next.
And that's what web site monitoring is all about.