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Information
We've provided information we hope will answer some questions you might have. If you have a question not covered here, please
The Basics
Domain Names
A well-considered domain name can mean the difference between success and failure. On the other hand, good marketing can easily compensate for a less-than-perfect domain name. (Who ever would have thought "Google" would be so popular?) These days, almost every common word or word combination has been registered, so creativity plays a key role. With a little brainstorming, you should be able to come up with a unique, memorable domain name that reflects the personality of yourself, your organization or your business.
If you have your heart set on a domain name that's already taken, it may be possible to purchase the domain from the owner. Prices will vary depending on the desirability of the name.
You may be able to get the name you want by making it a sub-domain of an existing service - for example, mysite.myhost.com, or www.myhost.com/~mysite/. For personal sites, hobby sites or sites with a limited target audience, this may be an acceptible alternative. However, if you're serious about doing business on the web, you need your own domain.
Registering a domain name is quite inexpensive - often less than $10.00 per year, with discounts if you register for more than one year at a time. If you'd like to register your own domain name, we recommend GoDaddy. Or, do a web search for "domain name registration." BananaDragon can register your domain name at no extra charge, when you use any of our other services. (Registration fees do apply.)
Hosts and Hosting
Your web host provides the computer on which the files for your web site reside. If you wanted to, you could host a web site on a computer in your closet (a "web server") - lots of people with dedicated Internet connections do just that. But if you're like us, you'd rather let someone else deal with maintaining a web server, so you can get on with your business.
You can choose from a variety of web hosting options at a variety of prices. A number of companies will host your site for free. Some require that you display a banner or pop-up ads; others don't. Some free hosts offer high-quality service; others don't. While free hosting can be an attractive alternative if you're just starting out, you do tend to get what you're paying for - don't expect much customer service if your site is hosted for free. Still, free hosting may sometimes be a good choice.
Paid hosting also comes in a variety of flavors. Choosing a host can be mind-boggling; some hosts seem to offer everything for less than $10.00, while others seem to offer nothing for twice that much. BananaDragon can help you decide what hosting package is best for you.
Like everything else on the Internet, email comes in a variety of flavors. You can get free, web-based email from any number of sites. Your company or Internet Service Provider has probably provided you with at least one email address. The options provided by your web host may seem a little confusing. The options you're most likely to encounter include:
- pop email accounts or mailboxes
- Email aliases
- Autoresponders
A pop email account is a private email account you can easily access via various programs such as Outlook and Outlook Express, Eudora, etc. An email alias is a sort of "catch-all" email address that is forwarded to an existing pop email account you specify. So, if your pop email address is me@mysite.com, you can set up email aliases such as webmaster@mysite.com, service@mysite.com, etc., and have them forwarded to your main email account.
Email aliases come in handy when you want to use an "autoresponder." An autoresponder is a simple program that, as the name suggests, responds automatically when email is received at a certain address. For example, if you have an email alias called helpmenow@mysite.com, you can set up an autoresponder to let the sender know their message has been recieved, and that you're working on their problem. Meanwhile, the message is passed along to the pop email account you've specified. Autoresponders also can be handy if you're going to be away for a given amount of time and need to inform clients of why there will be a delay in response time, or for any number of other reasons.
Content
Graphics, Logos, Etcetera
Web design and graphic design go hand in hand, but they are two very different aspects of your site's final appearance. When we talk of web design, we are referring to your site's layout, navigation, and marketing focus.
BananaDragon will provide you with quality, basic graphics (navigational buttons, etc.) as a part of our regular hourly rates. Preparation of logos and other graphics will depend on the format and quality of the provided materials. If you require additional, original graphics or logos, we will quote you on a per-project basis. You may work with our artists, or with an artist of your own choosing.
Copy Writing and Editing
Providing your own copy will dramatically decrease the amount of time and money it takes to get your web presence live and productive. BananaDragon is happy to edit and proofread your supplied copy - in fact, we're obsessed with it, to the point that basic editing is included in our hourly rate. If you need original copy, this will be considered as a separate project from you web site. Please look here for details.
Advanced Features
Site Tools
Among the site tools that follow, plug-in or off-the-shelf solutions are often available. Basic customization of scripts is included in BananaDragon's standard hourly rates. Use of off-the-shelf scripts can dramatically decrease the cost of your site, as well as the time to market.
Search Capabilities
If your site consists of more than a few pages, you'll want to provide a way for your visitors to search it. BananaDragon will help you choose from the various options available.
Form Processing
Forms provide an infinitely useful way to gain information and feedback from your site's visitors. Forms should encourage visitors to respond, without overwhelming them with questions.
Once you've received the information from a form, you need a method for interpreting it. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, from simple to complex. The optimum solution will depend on how much data you want to gather and how you plan to use and store it.
Database Interface
Databases have myriad uses. A simple database can be used to keep content fresh and up to date, while a more complex solution might allow customers to determine if a certain product is in stock. We will work closely with you to determine the level of your needs.
User Interaction
Forums and Message Boards
and
Chat and Instant Messaging
These tools can be used for entertainment and socializing, and can also be used for customer service and on-line conferencing. Message Boards can be used to provide one-way information to your visitors or to allow visitors to post their own announcements. Forums allow you to interact with your visitors and allow visitors to interact with one another. A highly active forum can become the life-blood of a web site - but it takes a great deal of time and effort to establish this level of community. Still, the results can make it worthwhile.
Guest Book
The guest book is a nice way to allow your visitors to provide feedback. Unless closely monitored, it also can act as a breeding ground for spam.
Polls or Surveys
Like many site tools, polls and surveys can be both fun and practical. Polls and surveys help increase a site's "stickiness," encouraging visitors to return again and again. They also provide a terrific method for gathering demographic information, information on customer attitudes and opinions - or just about anything else you can think of.
E-Commerce
E-commerce solutions can range from the simplest off-the-shelf solution to back-end functionality costing many thousands of dollars.
BananaDragon is well-versed in e-commerce technology, and can consult with you to determine which solution best suits your needs. We can build you a robust storefront presence, including catalog, shopping cart and secure payment processing solutions. We are also available to consult with you on more advanced e-business requirements.
Programming and Multimedia
Whether functional, fun or simply decorative, scripts, applets and multimedia can add much to a web site's appeal. Overuse, on the other hand, can drastically slow page loading time, clutter the site and even crash some browsers. We will work with you to achieve a balance between functionality and practicality.
Promotion
What if you built a web site and nobody came? All too often, that's the sad reality. Getting traffic to your site takes time and effort. Getting your site listed by the major search engines and indexes is of primary importance. BananaDragon includes basic search engine optimization as an integral part of our services. In this case, search engine optimization simply refers to using appropriate, carefully chosen wording in your site's keywords, title, description and text. If you wish to pursue serious search engine optimization (SEO), we can hook you up with some of the best in the business.
Link trades are a viable method of gaining traffic and better search engine rankings for your site. A great way to establish link trades is to contact webmasters whose sites complement yours, without being in competition. You might be surprised how many webmasters are willing to trade links.
Young sites may wish to participate in a banner exchange. Though banner advertising has fallen out of favor recently, targeted banner exchanges can yield quality traffic. You may also wish to purchase advertising on other sites; again, targeting is the key. We can help you find a program that suits your needs.
An effective and often-overlooked method of promoting your site is to get involved with a message forum that relates to your industry or services. By becoming an active participant and helping other forum members, you can create interest in what you have to offer. Don't spam - most message forums will allow you to include your url in your signature or profile. Let your expertise speak for itself.
Depending on your industry, target market, and the geographic scope of your audience, traditional media can provide an effective method for marketing your site.
We have experience in traditional public relations and marketing, and can work with you to determine which methods will best work for you. For more information, look here.