Your Website, Your Online Home

Here's an easy way to think about websites.

1. Your website is the place where you live in cyberspace just as your house or business is the place your live or work in a physical sense.

2. Your Web Host is your plot of land where you will build your site.

3. Your URL is your physical address where you can be found internet.

4. Your phone number is still your phone number. Haha! Or technically it could be your computer's IP address (since it actually is a set of numbers that identifity your computer. Your computer is what you use to communicate online. Every device has a unique IP address.)

Building Your House in Cyberspace:

1. You can custom build your own house, or buy a house in a community development. The difference will be based on how much customization you need (the more customization the more it will cost.) If you are okay with selecting a pre-designed model home, then you will be comfortable using a website template. Templates come in a variety of prices and options. Be sure to look for high quality templates, not cheesy alternatives.

2. Once you have purchased your plot of land (we hosting) and have determined the type of house you will put on that land (custom or template), then the next thing is to determine what you want in the house. Things to consider:

- What is the purpose of the house

- What will you do in the house

- Who will be living in the house (how many rooms, or webpages)

- What information or activities will be available in the house

- How often will the house be accessed and updated

- Who will be visiting the house, etc.

- What do you want visitors to do when they get to your house

3. Determine who is going to maintain the house. You or someone on your staff? If so you will need a content management solution (CMS) package with your website. If you are going to hire maids and interior decorators (web designers and coders) for the upkeep of your home remember that you will have to pay for this service.

4. What are your future plans for the house? Expand on the current property as your needs grow? Or build something totally different once you outgrow the current structure (website)?

Not having a website today is like not having a phone number to be listed in the phone book. People cannont find or interact with you online. Don't get left behind. Get your website up and running today!