JCS Development

Over on Work.com they’ve posted a really good article about choosing the right web host. Guide to Web Hosting Services for Small Business talks about various traits to look for in a web hosting provider such as:

• Look for Reliability
• Look for Live Support
• Finding a host that grows with you
• Finding a host that hasn’t be blacklisted

I’ve done a bunch or research, as well as been through several hosts and
can say there are a few other things I’d add to this list:

• Find out if there is an escalation procedure for the support dept.
• Make sure you can have access to your DNS records. (technical I know, but can be very important)
• Make sure you will be notified BEFORE you go over the bandwidth requirements. Some providers will just bill you, and that can be frustrating.

I’ve had good and bad experiences with web hosts and have settled on GoDaddy as my provider mainly because I have access to my DNS records and their control panel is pretty easy to understand.

A web host can make or break your web presence and you should do plenty of research before making the commitment.

Websites are an expensive process.  Hosting, graphic design, coding all these take time which in turn costs you money.  Keyword research, search engine positioning and well placed advertisements.  There is an awful lot to the web design thing.

A potential client goes to a search engine looking for widgets, which you happen to sell.  Low and behold a link to your website comes up in the top 5 Google listings.  They click the link and BAM (with apologies to Emeril Lagasse) they land on your home page.  Now what?

Studies show you have 5 seconds or less to communicate several things to your user:

• Am I in the Right Place?
• Can I get what I want?
• Do I trust this site?

These are just a few of the things that you have communicate immediately or the user is going to jump away and find their information somewhere else.

Am I in the right place?

You need to communicate to your visitors that your site is the site they were looking for.  It wouldn’t make much sense if they were looking for accounting help, but ended up at a site for lawn service.  Simple design makes it easy for the client to know what the website is all about.

Can I get what I want?

Simple Design also makes sure that your clients can figure out the next step in the process.  Leading clients to the “call to action” is the single most important aspect of website design.  Clients need clear markers to light the way.

Do I trust this site?

Trust between you and the client is extremely fragile yet critically important.  A client needs to know that your site and by extension your organization is trustworthy and honest.  Requesting personal information too soon, pop-up ads and unprofessional design can make a client leave quickly.  Things like the Better Business Bureau’s BBBOnLine program can go a long way to easy your clients mind.

Simple design can go a long way to making your website more attractive to both clients and search engines.