One
of the most important things to consider when deciding which Commercial
Host Site to use for your business in establishing its Internet
Presence is SERVICE. While this may sound obvious, many very
smart business professionals forget to cover the basics of "due diligence"
when choosing a Host Site and end up not only unhappy, but in many cases,
out a great deal of money in the process.
There are some relatively easy ways to determine if a prospective Commercial
Host Site truly offers superior service during AND after the sale.
There are no real shortcuts that can be taken unless you are fortunate
enough to be able to get a rock-solid recommendation from a friend or
business associate. This only counts if they are currently using that
Commercial Host Site, are pleased with their service, and the
results. With a recommendation that you can rely upon, your task is
much simpler, and less time consuming.
Most businesses do not have the time to research properly, and will
take simply take the word of the Commercial Host Site operator
at face value. Everyone in that business will tell you that they are
the best, will take great care of you, make you look superior on the
Web, will save you money, etc. This being the case, and since it is
becoming increasing common that the proliferation of unprofessional,
uncaring, and in many cases downright crooked Host Sites are popping
up everywhere, BUYER BEWARE!
This is not to say that you cannot find a reputable Host Site that will
do the work required, and once your Website is functioning, will take
excellent care of you. What it DOES mean is that you must put forth
some effort to help ensure that you are putting not only your faith
and money, but your company's image, in the hands of people who care
about you, and know what they are doing. While many Host Sites are run
by programmers and designers, a solid sales and marketing background
is also very important for a commercial Website. Some of the things
that are important for a business Website should be:
1) Service
2) Your company's image
3) Service
4) Effectiveness of your website
5) Service
6) Service
Now to elaborate on these items: 1) Service - from the standpoint of
helpfulness and input to the client during the initial process of consultations,
gathering information, graphics etc. to design the Website so it can
achieve the goals you want on the Web. If a Host Site is not
helpful from the get-go, BEWARE!
2) Making sure that the image your Website projects is positive, professional,
effective and most importantly user-friendly! If you receive complaints,
or, ask for and get, a lot of negative feedback from clients and associates
etc., something needs to be changed, and quickly.
3) Service - in taking care of all the details that Website designers
and Host Sites SHOULD be knowledgeable in, but many are not.
An example of this is the proper and effective use of META tags, ALT
tags, TITLE tags, text layout and the submission process to Search Engines
and Directories. If these thing are done correctly, it will greatly
enhance the ease with which your Website can be located by those using
a Search Engine. If they are NOT used correctly, it can hurt your chances
tremendously.
4) The results from your Web presence are the measuring stick. If your
reason for having a Website is an online brochure, then merely looking
nice is fine. If however the reason for having it is to generate new
leads or sales, and it does NOT generate them, is it due to your business...or
to a lack of knowledge and assistance on the part of your Host Site?
5) Service - if there is a problem with the site, is it easy to contact
the Host Site and get quick assistance to fix the problem? Are
they friendly and knowledgeable so they can offer alternatives to you?
Do they answer their email promptly? Do they return your phone calls?
If you are being ignored, it is usually due to the fact that they already
have your money, a Website has been placed on the Web, and they feel
their job is over. I believe that it has just started! A Host Site
that has their clients' interests in mind, will, on an ongoing basis,
assist those clients, however they can, so their Web presence is working
effectively, and their clients are happy. This can cover things like
ongoing changes to the site, information and education for their clients,
publicity for the Host Site as well as the businesses that reside
there etc. Taking the money, putting up a Website and ignoring you thereafter
is unprofessional, to say the least.
6) Service - does the Host Site really care about you and want
you to succeed on the Web? Do they want you to be so happy with their
responsiveness, service, results, etc. so you will not only continue
to build your Website, but send referrals to them? Do they make changes
and updates when requested in a timely manner?
If you can answer YES to many of these questions, you most likely have
found one of the few Host Sites that know what they are doing
and care about their clients. If not, ask your friends, ask your business
associates, and if all else fails, check up on a number of Host Sites
by contacting directly, at least 6-12 of their existing clients that
have been doing business with them for at least 6 months and ASK QUESTIONS
about the things I have mentioned previously. With a little "due diligence",
some time spent in asking questions, and a reasonably well thought out
plan of action, you can find the right Commercial Host Site that
truly offers you an effective Web Presence and SERVICE AFTER THE
SALE.
Don Allen is founder and CEO of Ad Wizards Internet Services based in
Austin, Texas and can be reached via his Website at http://www.AdWizards.com,
by phone at (512) 834-9013, or by email at don@adwizards.com
If you have any other information that pertains to this report and wish
to have it considered for inclusion, please email it to:
don@adwizards.com