naturalnails
Legend
This could have almost been written by our very own Seanny LOL - I did say almost!
The gist of the article is that more and more people are googleing (is that a word Izzi? LOL) rather than looking in traditional places like YP, so you should be looking to get a place on the net.
I will highlight a couple of bits and give my views:
Only register if you are sure your trading name is not going to change. Also most domains are only registered for 2 years and need to be renewed. Shop around as domains are like car registrations, they are unique but prices can vary. For example 1&1 include a free .co.uk with their hosting packages whereas some companies might charge say £20 for the same domain name.
A good way of assessing sites is to download the Google toolbar as this will include Googles Pagerank system - so if you are on a nail site and it shows a 4/10 or a 0/10 look at the sites to see what makes one a 4 and the other a 0. It could be the keywords, it could be the Links, it could be the lack of flash (see later).
I would agree with this but who decides what the professional touch is and what is badly designed - these will be very different depending on whether a website designer is looking or a nail client is looking LOL.
I have had a look here (they score a 1/10 on Google Pagerank LOL) - this is about the cost of a small add in the Yellow Pages. I would like to have links on there to some of the sites they have done rather than just to see templeates. Looks quite nice though if this is what you want.
Can you hear Sean saying this over and over again LOL.
OK to sum up:
1. if you are interested in a web presence - even just a one or two pages to start with - read ALL of Seanny's posts on websites.
2. Search around for a domain name you like and register it.
3. For all of you Geeks who spend loads of time on here, you cannot say you are not computer literate LOL - I use Microsoft Frontpage which is a bit like using Word and I do my websites on that then use a File Transfer package to upload to the net. (yes Seanny, I know you don't really like FrontPage LOL).
If you have Frontpage on your PC then have a play and see what happens - you cant do any harm, by playing as long as you dont upload it into cyberspace until you are ready.
Let's see if this gets another website created by a Geek LOL.
Any questions, I will try and answer.
The gist of the article is that more and more people are googleing (is that a word Izzi? LOL) rather than looking in traditional places like YP, so you should be looking to get a place on the net.
I will highlight a couple of bits and give my views:
Whether you are ready today for your website, or it's still a little way off, we recommend you register a domain now so that it is secured and ready for you when you need it
Only register if you are sure your trading name is not going to change. Also most domains are only registered for 2 years and need to be renewed. Shop around as domains are like car registrations, they are unique but prices can vary. For example 1&1 include a free .co.uk with their hosting packages whereas some companies might charge say £20 for the same domain name.
Next, look around the internet and check out other sites, recommends web designer Markus Quarta. "It's always good to look at other websites to get inspiration and see the things you like and don't like; it helps a lot when putting together your site"........
A good way of assessing sites is to download the Google toolbar as this will include Googles Pagerank system - so if you are on a nail site and it shows a 4/10 or a 0/10 look at the sites to see what makes one a 4 and the other a 0. It could be the keywords, it could be the Links, it could be the lack of flash (see later).
....Website designer Simon Berry explains "There are plenty of good, free tutorials and guides available on the internet." However, remember this means you will have to give up some of your time to this task and the finished product may lack the professional touch. Simon warns, "I would only attempt a website if you're confident with the basics. A badly designed website is worse than no site at all."
I would agree with this but who decides what the professional touch is and what is badly designed - these will be very different depending on whether a website designer is looking or a nail client is looking LOL.
Hairandbeautyonthe.net specialises in providing two types of website package - Lite and Standard. A step up from template sites, where you have to input the text and images yourself, this service allows techs to provide the text and images to the company, along with their choice of one of the 11 designs available, and hairandbeautyonthe.net will create a website for you. The company will also register the domain name and host the site if required. £295 + VAT for five pages .....
I have had a look here (they score a 1/10 on Google Pagerank LOL) - this is about the cost of a small add in the Yellow Pages. I would like to have links on there to some of the sites they have done rather than just to see templeates. Looks quite nice though if this is what you want.
Once your site is live, you need to help people to find it. The best way to do this is with search engine optimisation (SEO).... "There are two groups you need to attract to your site - the search engines and clients. The search engine is the primary one to attract as, without that, your potential clients won't find you."
To move your site up the search engine rankings, there are certain tools you can use, such as including keywords. ... including words such as 'nails', 'manicure' and 'pedicure' on your site, adding, "you will also need to think of additional markets you are selling into, such as bridal, along with geographical location."
Having a flash intro as your first page will fool search engines into thinking there is no data there and so it will not index it. You need the first page to have lots of content and minimal flash to move it up the rankings.......
Can you hear Sean saying this over and over again LOL.
OK to sum up:
1. if you are interested in a web presence - even just a one or two pages to start with - read ALL of Seanny's posts on websites.
2. Search around for a domain name you like and register it.
3. For all of you Geeks who spend loads of time on here, you cannot say you are not computer literate LOL - I use Microsoft Frontpage which is a bit like using Word and I do my websites on that then use a File Transfer package to upload to the net. (yes Seanny, I know you don't really like FrontPage LOL).
If you have Frontpage on your PC then have a play and see what happens - you cant do any harm, by playing as long as you dont upload it into cyberspace until you are ready.
Let's see if this gets another website created by a Geek LOL.
Any questions, I will try and answer.