So you think you need a website?

It's progress isn't it?  You have to have a website these days don't you?  Well let's see...

There are lots of reasons for wanting a website.  Two of the more compelling ones are to advertise a business to sell goods or services - or promote an organisation.   Some start off modestly with a simple idea such as the online auction Ebay, or from a personal interest - Friends Reunited being a prime example - but they're not typical.

The Internet is ideally placed to provide information.  Most government websites are geared to providing information and support.  Private or personal websites tend to involve hobbies, family topics such as genealogy, or just opinions. 

The latest fashion is the 'Blog' which is an acronym for 'WEB-LOG' is just  another way of publishing ideas, thoughts, opinions or news on a regular basis and it may or may not have a facility for readers to respond.  Politicians seem particularly fascinated since it's a bit like having your own newspaper.  The other kind you might hear about is the 'WIKI' website.  This is a website where lots of people provide the content and can add or delete content, depending on how it's set up.  These are a bit like a 'club' involving a common interest or just a soapbox for sounding off. 

Another type that still finds predominance is the 'dating' website where people can make friends, contact potential partners or indulge in something less committed.  Some websites are exclusive and allow access to only certain people, or charge a fee for access.  Pornography websites are notorious for this and often engage in unscrupulous marketing techniques by uploading spyware or worse to the user's computer.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to establish a website, it makes sense to have some ideas about the format and the structure before you start.  It also pays to be imaginative because there are millions of other websites out there, all competing to be seen and visited so yours will benefit by being different somehow.  At the same time it should be simple to use, fast to load and have relevant content.

Just understand one thing - having a website does not carry a guarantee that you will get a single visitor who you (or someone else) didn't personally prompt to visit.  Search engines don't automatically find websites and put them at the top of the list.  That takes specialised skill and a certain amount of regular expensive work as any Internet business will tell you.   Even if you can do it yourself it is a regular commitment and it changes daily.  One day you can be on the first page of a search engine, the next nowhere to be found so never neglect your website or become complacent.

So what next?  Choose another option on the left...

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Last Updated 06/08/2008