Hostway: Web Resouces

The Linux Operating System for Dedicated Servers

8 May 2008 17:53:40 GMT

Open-source enthusiasts will want to choose a dedicated server built with a Linux operating system.

The Windows Operating System for Dedicated Servers

8 May 2008 17:53:40 GMT

One of the most popular operating systems for servers is Microsoft Windows. Find out when a Windows operating system is the best choice for your dedicated server.

Choosing an Operating System for a Dedicated Server

8 May 2008 17:53:39 GMT

The transition from a shared server Web hosting plan to a dedicated server plan starts with choosing the right operating system for your business. Learn the basics of choosing an operating system for your dedicated server.

Should I choose a Windows or Linux Hosting Plan?

21 Apr 2008 17:01:22 GMT

Each server operating system has its strengths and weaknesses. Discover whether a Windows or Linux plan is best for your needs.

Linux Web Hosting

21 Apr 2008 17:01:22 GMT

One of the first open source operating systems, Linux has developed a loyal following. Learn more about Linux Web hosting.

Windows Web Hosting

21 Apr 2008 17:01:21 GMT

If you're using a Windows PC, should you automatically choose a Windows Web hosting plan? Find the answer and learn about the Windows Server operating system.

Choosing an Operating System for Your Web Hosting Plan

21 Apr 2008 16:59:15 GMT

Get an overview of what a Web hosting operating system is and what it does before you decide which one is best for your Web site.

Do Local Businesses Need a Web Site?

3 Mar 2008 16:42:08 GMT

Find out why restaurants, boutiques, law offices, salons and just about every other local business needs a Web site.

Planning a Web Site for Your Local Business

3 Mar 2008 16:42:06 GMT

Get all the information you need about planning your Web site, tailored specifically to the needs of local businesses.

Applying Your Style Sheet to a Web Page

15 Feb 2008 20:44:47 GMT

There are several ways to use a style sheet on your Web site. Learn how each one affects your Web pages and how to use style sheets to your greatest advantage.

How to Create a Style Sheet - Step-By-Step Instructions

15 Feb 2008 20:44:46 GMT

Learn how to write your first style sheet by following these step-by-step instructions. When you finish, you'll have a real style sheet you can apply to your Web site.

Ten Web Design Trends to Avoid

11 Jan 2008 17:39:05 GMT

Increase your Web site traffic and boost your image by eliminating these 10 Web design trends that need to be retired.

What Are Cascading Style Sheets?

31 Jan 2008 22:08:06 GMT

Start your education into using cascading style sheets (CSS) with a quick overview of CSS and its uses.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) - Take Control of Your Web Site

31 Jan 2008 22:08:05 GMT

Take control of the look and feel of your Web site, streamline your code and make your redesigns a snap by using cascading style sheets (CSS) on your Web pages.

Google PageRank

17 Jan 2008 20:18:18 GMT

Most people familiar with the Internet have heard of Google's PageRank system. By adding PageRank to other search factors, such as keyword frequency and content quality, Google was able to return higher quality search engine results than the competition.

Online Data Backup - Essential for Businesses

21 Dec 2007 15:51:07 GMT

Computers have been around for so long that almost everyone has a data loss story to tell � whether it's the term paper file corrupted the night before it was due or the business presentation that vanished after you tripped over the cord and cut power to the computer. These events remind us that regular data backup is not a luxury � it is essential, especially for businesses.

Spam and Virus Protection Software - Take Control of Your Computer

21 Dec 2007 15:51:07 GMT

Whether it's your personal or business computer, having spam and virus software could save you a great deal of trouble and money. A virus could bring down your entire system while spyware and malware can give criminals the ability to access all of your information or even take control of your computer.

Firewalls - Defense Against Attacks and Malicious Codes

21 Dec 2007 15:51:06 GMT

Whether your business operates from a single computer or an entire network, firewalls are your first line of defense against attacks and malicious code that could bring your operations to a halt.

Privacy Policy - Establish Credibility

4 Dec 2007 21:22:08 GMT

If you own a Web site, you can establish credibility and, in some cases, comply with the law by writing and posting a privacy policy on your site.

SSL Certificates - Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate

4 Dec 2007 21:22:08 GMT

Ensure the safety of sensitive information transmitted over your Web site by encrypting it with an SSL certificate.

Online Security - Keep Your Customers and Business Safe

4 Dec 2007 21:22:07 GMT

With the threat of hackers, spammers, identity thieves and sensitive information being made public, online security has become more important than ever before. Learn how to keep your customers and your business safe.

How Does a Content Delivery Network Work?

21 Nov 2007 15:05:25 GMT

A content delivery network replicates information and stores it in servers around the world, then identifies the fastest route for a user request.

Content Deliver Network - Speed Up the Delivery of Large Files

21 Nov 2007 16:00:02 GMT

Media-rich Web sites can enhance the user experience by using a content delivery network to speed page load times.

Hostway Launches Web Hosting Glossary

7 Nov 2007 22:21:08 GMT

Launching an online business can be overwhelming if you're not already well-versed in the technology. That's why we've developed a Web hosting glossary to help you get up to speed with the technical terms you'll encounter as you develop and grow online.

Ten Ways to Make Your Web Site Load Faster

19 Oct 2007 22:36:40 GMT

Online shoppers will wait a maximum of four seconds for your page to load before clicking away, according to a 2006 JupiterResearch study. Shaving seconds off your page loading times can increase your sales and your bottom line. Here are some tips for cutting your Web page load times.

Raise Your Landing Page Quality Score with Google and Yahoo!

19 Oct 2007 22:36:40 GMT

In 2005, Google began considering landing page quality in its AdWords ranking algorithm. Yahoo! was quick to follow. The idea was to price the low-quality, sketchy advertisers out of the market and offer searchers a better search experience. Your landing page quality score and the cost of your keywords determine your AdWords ranking. So, building a high quality landing page can help you achieve a higher ranking and save money.

Split Testing

10 Oct 2007 21:52:19 GMT

Test Your Landing Pages
When you launch a marketing campaign, you need to test your landing pages with customers. No matter how hard you try, you don't know how your customers will react to your pages without testing them. You're too close to your company and your products to see yourself through your customers� eyes.

Make Your Landing Page Sticky

10 Oct 2007 21:52:19 GMT

When visitors come to your landing page via search engines, they're likely to click back to the search engine and check out your competitors � bouncing back and forth between landing pages and the search engine results page.

Long Landing Pages

10 Oct 2007 21:52:18 GMT

All of the conventional wisdom tells you to keep it short when it comes to Web pages. But is there ever a time when a long page is appropriate?

Write Clear, Concise Landing Page Text

19 Sep 2007 20:22:51 GMT

The clock starts the instant people click to your landing page � they're skimming your page, your images and more importantly, your words to make the snap decision whether to do business with you.

Effective Landing Page Design

19 Sep 2007 20:22:50 GMT

The key to an effective landing page design is simplicity. Keep visitors focused on one message by making sure that everything on the page leads them to the conclusion that it's in their best interest to convert.

Landing Page

19 Sep 2007 20:22:50 GMT

Experts agree that every page of your Web site is a landing page because you never know where visitors will enter. But when most people use the word "landing page", they're talking about a Web page designed for a specific offer.

Find a Better Conversion Rate

10 Sep 2007 20:23:01 GMT

The measurements most useful to you depend on the goal of your Web site. Many companies with a product or service to sell make the mistake of focusing on the number of visitors to their sites. For a Web site designed to sell, sales are a much better indication of the Web site's success.

Where Is My Traffic Coming From?

10 Sep 2007 20:22:37 GMT

Find out where your Web site traffic comes from by looking at the referrer URLs in your Web analytics software. The referrer URL is the last Web address your site visitor browsed before clicking to your site.

What the Numbers Tell You

10 Sep 2007 20:22:15 GMT

Not every analytics program calculates each number with the same formula. However, it helps to have a general idea of what the numbers mean. Read on for a definition of several common measurements.

Introduction to Web Analytics

10 Sep 2007 20:21:39 GMT

You've got a stunning Web site, you're promoting it brilliantly, and yet, your conversion rate sits stubbornly at 3% or less. Or worse � you don't even know what your conversion rate is. Web analytics can help you find your conversion rate and the reason it's lower than you'd like it to be.

Respond to Your Critics

10 Sep 2007 20:19:23 GMT

You know that old saying, "You can't please all the people all the time" ? Even the companies with the best products and customer service have critics. But the Internet and social media amplify critics' voices, giving them a large and receptive audience. It could hurt your business if you don't have a good response.

Generate Positive Buzz about Your Brand

10 Sep 2007 20:19:02 GMT

Word-of-mouth marketing has taken on a new form with social media Web sites, but the concept behind it remains unchanged. A successful word-of-mouth campaign establishes relationships with influencers in a target community and gets them to praise your Web site to their networks.

Mining MySpace for Data

10 Sep 2007 20:18:20 GMT

MySpace is a gold mine of personal information willingly provided by your target audience. And it's not just for teenagers and twenty-somethings. More than half of its users are 35 and older, according to an October 2006 study by comScore Media Metrix. And, 68% are 25 and older.

Using Social Media to Market Your Business

10 Sep 2007 20:18:07 GMT

If your target market reads blogs, interacts on MySpace, Facebook or other Web sites, you need a social media marketing strategy. Why? To get people talking about your Web site and personally invested in your brand.

Affiliate Programs

10 Sep 2007 20:17:48 GMT

With an affiliate program, you pay other Web sites to drive sales on your Web site. The affiliate places a link to your Web site on its site. You can pay affiliates per click or per sale, depending on your goals and the deal you work out with affiliates.

Publicity

10 Sep 2007 20:17:34 GMT

Publicity is even better than advertising because it is more credible in the minds of your audience. Advertising is something you create, control and pay for. Publicity, on the other hand, is something someone else says about you. Publicity is more believable than advertising because it comes from a third party. Essentially, publicity is based on news�news that you create.

Get Into the Inbox

10 Sep 2007 20:17:20 GMT

The biggest email providers filter spam email messages into separate folders for their customers and make reporting spam as simple as clicking a button. Here are some general rules compiled from the America Online (AOL), Gmail and Yahoo Web sites that can get your messages out of the spam folder and into the inbox:

Comply with the CAN SPAM Act

10 Sep 2007 20:17:03 GMT

The CAN SPAM Act of 2004 raised the stakes for email marketers. Improper use of email now carries fines up to $11,000.

Write an Effective Email Advertisement

10 Sep 2007 20:08:58 GMT

You only have a few seconds to convince your prospects to open your email message and act on your offer. You have to make every word count.

Build an Opt-In Email List

10 Sep 2007 20:08:21 GMT

It's time to use your imagination. Visualize your perfect customers. How will you find them and convince them to give you their email addresses?

Email Marketing

10 Sep 2007 20:01:16 GMT

Email marketing is a highly effective way to increase your sales and draw visitors to your Web site. It has an excellent ROI � $57.25 for every dollar spent (according to a Direct Marketing Association Study cited on Clickz.com). That's an astounding 150% greater than other forms of online marketing!

Offline

10 Sep 2007 20:00:50 GMT

Offline advertising is a good way to catch potential customers� interest and bring them to your Web site. Most Web sites can benefit from combining a search engine optimization strategy with offline and online advertising. However, Web sites that are local in reach will benefit more from an offline advertising strategy because local advertising is relatively inexpensive and reaches the market directly.

Electronic Newsletter

10 Sep 2007 20:00:29 GMT

Electronic newsletters can land your advertising message right in your prospect�s email inbox. Your customers sign up to receive e-newsletters, so your message is received in a welcome context. And, because readers have signed up for the e-newsletter, responses to the ads are generally higher than those for banner ads.

Banner Ads

10 Sep 2007 20:00:14 GMT

Banner ads are an excellent way to get your link on another Web site and to expose a larger audience your message or products. A banner ad is usually a horizontal or vertical rectangle that includes graphic and text elements and sometimes animations. They are the main source of revenue for most Web sites.

Place Your Search Engine Ad

10 Sep 2007 19:59:58 GMT

Google, Yahoo and MSN are currently the most popular search engines. If you know that your audience tends to use one more than the other, your choice is clear. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to price your first-choice keywords on each search engine and go for lowest cost option.

Write a Search Engine Ad

10 Sep 2007 19:59:44 GMT

Search engine ads are short. You'll need to choose your words carefully in order to make each one work toward your advertising goals. Consider how you can motivate readers to act. Will you appeal to their fears, happiness, insecurities or sense of humor? Knowing the effect you hope to produce will help you choose the right words.

How to Choose Keywords

10 Sep 2007 19:59:26 GMT

Keywords trigger your ads on the search engine. They ensure that your message reaches someone who likely has a high level of interest in your product.

Search Engine Advertising

10 Sep 2007 19:59:03 GMT

It's hardly an exaggeration to say that everyone uses search engines today. That's what makes search engine advertising a great way to connect with your target audience. Even better, you can target your ads based on keywords, and you only pay if a prospect clicks your ad.

Advertising

10 Sep 2007 19:57:31 GMT

The word "advertising" calls to mind slick TV ads and high-end lifestyle photography created in super-expensive Madison Avenue offices � leaving many businesses to think they can't afford to advertise their Web sites. In reality, you can advertise your Web site no matter how much money you have to spend.

SEO Checklist

10 Sep 2007 19:57:15 GMT

There are many different parts to an SEO strategy for your Web site. This checklist will help you track your efforts and make sure you don�t miss any important elements.

Yahoo! Directory

10 Sep 2007 19:57:02 GMT

The Yahoo! Directory is an index of Web sites by topic. Users can search the directory for Web sites that have been prescreened by human editors and found to be of value for that particular topic. A listing in the Yahoo! Directory can drive traffic to your Web site.

Open Directory

10 Sep 2007 19:56:48 GMT

Commercial directories are edited by paid staff. But because so many new Web sites are launched each day, companies cannot afford to hire the staff to keep pace. The Open Directory, also known as dmoz, is a solution to this problem.

Web Directories

10 Sep 2007 19:56:34 GMT

Submitting your Web site to Web directories can positively impact your number of visitors and your rank in search engine results. A Web directory is a database that categorizes Web pages and links to them. Directories are reviewed by editors (instead of Web crawlers), and you must submit your Web site to each directory in order to be included.

Vertical Search Engine

10 Sep 2007 19:55:30 GMT

You can use vertical search engines to boost your Web site traffic and product sales. A vertical, or “specialized,� search engine finds Web sites that deal with a specific topic. Instead of sending crawlers out to the Web, they send crawlers out to a specialized database to return search results.

MSN Search

10 Sep 2007 19:55:17 GMT

MSN Search produced results for 5.6 million Internet searches in June 2006, making it one of the most-used search engines on the Internet.

Google

10 Sep 2007 19:54:28 GMT

Google is currently the most popular Internet search engine, rising to prominence in recent years because it developed an algorithm that returns good search results. Google�s method is loosely based on the principles of democracy. The formula assumes that when one Web site links to another, the first Web site is affirming the value of or "voting" for the second one. The Web site with the most links pointing at it is the most valuable and ranks the highest.

Yahoo! Search

10 Sep 2007 19:54:43 GMT

Yahoo! Search is the currently one of the most popular Internet search engines according to Nielsen//NetRatings. In June 2006, users conducted 1.2 billion searches using the Yahoo! Search engine.

Linking Strategies

10 Sep 2007 19:54:20 GMT

Your Web site linking strategy has two goals: 1. To drive traffic to your Web site and 2. To increase your rank with the major search engines.

Be Search Engine Friendly

10 Sep 2007 19:53:59 GMT

The main things all major search engines look for when evaluating your Web site are content and links from external Web sites. Thus, you can increase your search engine ranking by developing keyword-rich content that is of value to your visitors and other Web sites. Techniques that fail to offer better content for your visitors or try to “trick the system� can get your Web site banned from the big search engines.

Meta Tags

10 Sep 2007 19:53:52 GMT

Meta tags are the text inserted into the head of a Web page�s code containing information such as the title, author, keywords and refresh instructions for a Web page. They once had a great impact on search engine rank, but with the rise of Google�s search engine algorithms, that has changed.

Web Page Optimization

10 Sep 2007 19:53:33 GMT

Web page optimization is a multi-part strategy you can use to increase your Web site�s search engine ranking as much as possible. Based on the theory that people tend to click on links within the first few pages of search engine results, increasing your search engine rank can also increase your Web site traffic and possibly increase your sales. Click the links below to learn some simple ways you can help your Web site rank higher with the top search engines.

Search Engine Optimizers

10 Sep 2007 19:52:52 GMT

Increasing search engine rank is such a hot topic today that an entire industry of search engine optimizers has sprung up to help people increase their Web site�s rank with the most popular search engines.

Search Engine Traffic

10 Sep 2007 18:31:31 GMT

Search engines respond to billions of keyword searches. With a little planning, you can capture a piece of the Web site traffic generated by the top Internet search engines.

Drive Traffic to Your Web Site

10 Sep 2007 18:31:31 GMT

Maybe you�ve been thinking about how to attract visitors to your Web site, but you don�t know how to begin. Well, you�ve come to the right place. We put together this Web site marketing guide to help you discover your target audience and bring them to your Web site. Your efforts to market your Web site may be rewarded with increased product sales and awareness of your brand or message.

Program Your .Mobi Web Site

10 Sep 2007 18:30:57 GMT

Programming your .mobi Web site doesn't have to be difficult. The mobile Web is governed by Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0, which uses Extensible Hypertext Markup Language-Mobile Profile (XHTML-MP) as the programming language.

Design Your .Mobi Web Site

10 Sep 2007 18:21:28 GMT

Less is more when it comes to mobile Web design. A good mobile Web site is simple and designed with users� needs front and center.

Map Your Mobile Site

10 Sep 2007 18:21:11 GMT

Forget everything you know about your company, products or service for a moment and enter the mind of your customer. As you look at all of the data you need to fit on your .mobi Web site, think about how you can organize it so it makes sense to your viewer.

What Is a .Mobi Web Site?

10 Sep 2007 18:20:56 GMT

A .mobi Web site is just a regular Web site accessible from Internet browsers on any device, including desktop computers. But, in order to register a .mobi domain name, a site must meet specific requirements that make it easy to view and use from mobile devices such as smart phones and personal digital assistants.

Should I Create a Mobile Web Site?

10 Sep 2007 18:20:37 GMT

A mobile Web site puts your information in the hands of your customers anywhere they go. Before you begin building your mobile Web site, ask yourself what information your customers need from you when they're on the go. The best mobile Web sites offer actionable information that is easy to navigate and downloads quickly on mobile devices.

Launch Your Mobile Online Presence

10 Sep 2007 18:20:13 GMT

Mobile Web sites are rising in popularity as the number of people accessing the Internet on mobile devices continues to climb. The .mobi top-level domain signals to viewers that a Web site will load quickly and navigate easily on their mobile devices.

Payment Services

10 Sep 2007 18:19:52 GMT

Payment services can transform your Web site from a simple informational tool to a virtual storefront where customers can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of their own homes.

Shopping Carts

10 Sep 2007 18:19:23 GMT

Your ecommerce capabilities start with a shopping cart. A shopping cart is a software program that tracks the items your Web site visitors select and remove from their potential purchases. The program also captures their credit card information and calculates sales tax and shipping costs for online purchases.

Microsoft Access

10 Sep 2007 18:19:09 GMT

Microsoft Access is a powerful relational database management system (RDBMS) with a graphical interface. Included in the Microsoft Office software suite, Access is an alternative to MySQL and SQL Server.

SQL Server

10 Sep 2007 18:18:55 GMT

There are two versions of SQL Server, and both are relational database management systems (RDBMS). An RDBMS stores data in a series of tables that are related to each other in a variety of ways. Because few assumptions are made as to how the data relates, an RDBMS can present data in many different configurations.

MySQL

10 Sep 2007 18:18:39 GMT

MySQL is a popular, open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that can run on more than 20 different platforms, including Linux, Windows and OS/X. It is often used in conjunction with the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) programming language.

Database

10 Sep 2007 18:17:50 GMT

A database, often referred to as a "DB," is the electronic equivalent of a filing cabinet. You can use it to organize information in a way that allows computer programs to quickly find the data you�re looking for.

Sell Videos Online

10 Sep 2007 17:55:37 GMT

Perhaps you're a filmmaker, director, actor or the head of a production company, and your entire Web site is all about video; it's your product, and you're selling it online.

Simple Streaming

10 Sep 2007 17:55:24 GMT

You can add video to your Web site at a fraction of the cost of true streaming using a method called simple, or HTTP, streaming.

Streaming Media

10 Sep 2007 17:55:11 GMT

How many visitors could you bring to your Web site with a live broadcast? A concert, highly anticipated industry conference presentation or groundbreaking product demonstration � all of these connect you with an audience and win their business or raise their awareness. Streaming media runs on a server with advanced software that sends content to the end user's browser while that content is still downloading from the server, enabling live broadcasts over the Internet.

Add Video to Your Web Site

10 Sep 2007 17:54:50 GMT

Google's $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube made it official: Online video is the next frontier in digital media. Currently 53% of adults say they watch videos online, according to an October 2006 Forrester Research study, and that number is expected to grow.

Monetizing Your Community

10 Sep 2007 17:34:56 GMT

Even if you started your online community as a hobby, you may consider monetizing your content as your membership and administrative duties grow. Online communities usually follow one of two business models: ad supported or subscription-based.

Build a Community

10 Sep 2007 17:34:32 GMT

One of the most famous online communities, MySpace, is projected to have more than 100 million user profiles. As the site grows, users find it more difficult to locate and connect with the right people � creating demand for niche online communities.

Product Reviews and Ratings

10 Sep 2007 17:33:11 GMT

When shopping online, customer reviews or comments help consumers make the right choices. Learning that a shoe size runs small, for example, is important when the customer can't try on the shoe.

Blogs

10 Sep 2007 17:32:12 GMT

It seems like everyone has a blog these days. Blogs have become more than just diary entries with personal thoughts; they give your business a personal voice and open the lines of communication with customers.

Discussion Boards

10 Sep 2007 17:28:20 GMT

Add User-Generated Content to Your Web Site

10 Sep 2007 17:22:13 GMT

It's no surprise that more and more Web sites are adding user-generated content when it's the foundation for success of half of the fastest-growing online brands, according to a July 2006 study by Nielsen/NetRatings.

Common Gateway Interface (CGI)

10 Sep 2007 17:22:00 GMT

A CGI is a specification that allows you to create dynamic Web page. It creates a standard for information traveling between a CGI program and a server.

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP)

10 Sep 2007 17:21:45 GMT

PHP is a scripting language embedded into HTML Web pages to create dynamic features. When your Internet browser requests a Web page with PHP components, the PHP code runs on the server and generates a Web page with unique content. That customized Web page is sent to your browser.

Active Server Pages (ASP)

10 Sep 2007 17:21:26 GMT

ASP is Microsoft�s interface for creating dynamic, interactive Web pages. An Active Server Page is an HTML Web page that contains codes written in interactive scripting languages embedded in the HTML. The Web server processes those codes, generating custom content on the Web page. The custom Web page is then returned to your browser as a regular HTML document.

Structured Query Language (SQL)

10 Sep 2007 17:20:26 GMT

SQL is the most commonly used programming language that requests and manipulates information from database management systems.

JavaScript

10 Sep 2007 17:20:12 GMT

JavaScript is a widely used scripting language embedded directly into HTML code. It allows you to enhance your Web site with interactive extras. Used alone or with other programming languages, JavaScript can help you create a polished and interactive Web site.

Templates

10 Sep 2007 17:20:02 GMT

A template is a ready-made Web page that allows you to plug in your images and text to create your own Web site. Often templates come with a user interface that guides you through the process of building your Web pages.

Programming

10 Sep 2007 17:19:34 GMT

Programming is what distinguishes the Web from print materials by allowing users to interact with the content. You can program a page using programming languages, sets of rules or instructions that tell the computer to produce a particular result. Scripting languages are high-level programming languages processed at run-time. You can use them to create dynamic features on your Web pages.

Flash

10 Sep 2007 17:19:16 GMT

Adobe Flash is an authoring program that allows you to add animation and interactivity to your Web pages.

HTML Editors

10 Sep 2007 17:18:57 GMT

An HTML editor is a software program that allows you to create and edit code using HTML and other programming languages.

Build Your Own Web Site

10 Sep 2007 17:18:44 GMT

If you were building a house, you would need something to build it with�wood, nails and drywall, for example. Building a Web site is the same in that respect. You need something�words, images, animations�to assemble.

Step 5: Hire a Web Designer

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

Building a Web site is like building a house. As a beginner, you can do it if you spend time learning building techniques and how to use the necessary tools. An experienced professional, however, can produce a more polished product in a fraction of the time it would take you.

Step 4: Writing for the Web

10 Sep 2007 17:17:17 GMT

No matter how brilliant or well-written your words are, your visitors are unlikely to read them. Research shows that people scan Web pages for the information they seek. But, with some planning, you compose your message so it gets noticed.

Step 3: Web Site Graphics

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

Because the Web is a visual medium, graphics are important. Whether you hire a designer or create the Web site yourself, you need to find graphics to put on your Web site.

Step 2: Write a Plan

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

Now it�s time to take everything you thought about in step one and put it in writing. Writing a plan for your Web site will help you determine whether you are prepared to take on the project yourself or if you should hire a professional Web site designer.

Step 1: Develop a Web Site Plan

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

Web site design experts suggest that you begin creating your Web site by summing up the goal of your Web site in a sentence. Maybe you�re creating an ecommerce Web site where customers can buy your products. Maybe you want your Web site to inform people about your hobby or interests. Whatever your goal, it will be useful in focusing your Web site on a single idea.

How to Create Your Web Site

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

A Web site connects you to your family, friends or customers. You create a Web site to share pictures and stories about your life or sell your products and services to clients. A Web site is a powerful communication tool that can help you keep in touch or grow your business.

Data Centers

10 Sep 2007 17:14:25 GMT

The data center and the equipment in it is a Web host's most valuable asset. In fact, when you order Web hosting, you are really renting a space in the data center whether it's on a shared or dedicated server. Your Web site only functions as it should if the data center equipment functions as it should.

Reliability and Uptime

10 Sep 2007 17:14:24 GMT

Everyone has had the experience of buying a product only to be disappointed when it fails to deliver on its promises. Web hosting that fails to deliver can be frustrating at best and interrupt your business at its worst.

Web Hosting Features Explained

10 Sep 2007 16:51:02 GMT

Web hosting plans usually consist of a combination of features that make it easy to manage and maintain your Web site. Features vary from Web host to Web host and plan to plan. Below you will find an explanation of some of the standard features.

Colocation

10 Sep 2007 16:51:02 GMT

If you want to maintain complete control and maintenance over your server but need the security and reliability of having it housed in a data center, colocation is a great option. You can find a number of Web hosting companies that rent racks, shelves or entire cages at a variety of prices. You simply need to determine what best suits your needs and which data center offers the type of security and accessibility that you�re most comfortable with.

Dedicated Servers

10 Sep 2007 16:51:00 GMT

When you outgrow the shared server environment and need power, space and flexibility, transitioning your business to a dedicated server is an obvious choice. Unlike most other hosting companies, Hostway offers two dedicated server hosting options that let you determine your level of involvement.

ColdFusion

10 Sep 2007 16:47:17 GMT

In the ColdFusion development environment, it�s easy to build dynamic Web sites and Internet applications because you can develop a site or application that pulls data from a content database. Then, you can use that stored content within templates to dynamically create Web site pages. ColdFusion offers a fast and efficient way to integrate browser, server and database technologies into powerful Web applications.

Shared Servers

10 Sep 2007 16:46:20 GMT

Most personal and small- to medium-sized business Web sites run well on shared-server Web hosting plans. Shared hosting plans give Web site owners a reliable and inexpensive way to create and maintain a Web presence.

Types of Web Hosting

10 Sep 2007 16:33:37 GMT

Take a tour of your Web hosting plan options. You'll discover the difference between dedicated and shared hosting and find out which type of hosting plan fits your online needs.

Find a Web Hosting Plan

10 Sep 2007 16:33:16 GMT

Choosing the right Web hosting plan can be a daunting task with an enormous number of products and features available. Deciphering specifications and making sense of the jargon is only the first step. Finding a company you trust is equally important.

Whois Database

10 Sep 2007 15:42:22 GMT

Much like a telephone company, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) maintains a directory of contact information for everyone who registers a domain name. The Whois database contains the name, physical address, email address and telephone number for each registrant.

Domain Name Aftermarket

10 Sep 2007 15:27:35 GMT

If you're looking for a domain name right now, you've probably noticed that most of the good ones are taken. They're taken because they're short, simple, recognizable, and they end with the most coveted of domain extensions: .com. But like most things in life, you may be able to convince the owner to part with that domain name for the right price.

Country Code Top-Level Domains (TLD)

10 Sep 2007 16:33:58 GMT

Country code TLDs were intended to represent individuals and organizations within the designated country. There are well over 200 country code TLDs available for registration today. They are a good fit for businesses based in the country or as domain aliases for the business Web site of a multinational company.

Unsponsored Top-Level Domains (TLD)

10 Sep 2007 16:34:33 GMT

An unsponsored TLD reaches out to a wide audience. Because they are among the most familiar TLDs, they can help increase your traffic as your visitors are more likely to remember them.

Choose a Top-Level Domain (TLD)

10 Sep 2007 15:27:11 GMT

You found a domain name that practically jumps off the page and sticks in people's minds. Now you have to pair it with an equally memorable TLD.

Name Your Web Site

10 Sep 2007 15:25:53 GMT

Domain Name Registration
Visitors will type your domain name into a browser or click it on a search engine results page before you have a chance to wow them with your Web site. It's your first impression, so make it good. Your domain name should fit the style and tone of your Web site and clue visitors in to what they're about to see.

Business Site: Ecommerce

10 Sep 2007 15:25:06 GMT

Many businesses use their Web sites to sell their products and services directly to customers. By creating an online store, you can not only educate your customers about your business but also give them the opportunity to make a purchase while they are doing their research. Whether you have a local business or a national enterprise, being able to sell your products and services directly on your Web site increases your business�s visibility, scope and revenue potential.

Business Site: Informational

10 Sep 2007 15:24:48 GMT

Having a Web site to promote your business is vital in helping your business succeed. Even if you choose not to sell products directly from your site, you need to have a Web presence so that customers understand what your business is all about. Having an online presence for your business increases your visibility and professionalism. It�s also a great way to collect information from interested customers. You can ask people to sign up for your newsletter, explain the basics of your business and request an email address if they�d like special offers from you.

Interest Group

10 Sep 2007 15:20:34 GMT

If you�re interested in a particular band, an ancient religion or a popular sport, having a Web site devoted to your interest is a great way to connect with fellow fans, spread knowledge and spend time devoted to something you truly enjoy. The Internet offers a wealth of information, and it�s exciting and rewarding to make your contribution with something you love.

Personal Web Site

10 Sep 2007 15:18:44 GMT

Having your own Web site is a great way to keep your family and friends informed about what�s going on in your life. A personal Web site can be used to post and share pictures, detail your experiences with a blog, keep people informed about your upcoming major life events, such as a wedding.

Your Site Purpose

10 Sep 2007 15:17:28 GMT

Don�t confuse and lose potential visitors with an unorganized Web site! Keep organized from the start by identifying your Web site�s purpose before you create content.