Web Hosting: You're probably familiar with the expression
"Internet Service Provider" -- like AOL -- where you obtain
Internet access on a monthly basis. Web hosting is similar, except
this time you're looking for a service that will "host" your website
on their computer equipment. As long as the web hosting provider has
really fast connections to the Internet, reliable and redundant equipment and a
good reputation, you really don't care whether they are located down the street
or in Key West. All web host providers are not created equal. Some
require a long term contract, and some require setup fees. The firm we've used
for the last four years has been extremely reliable, with excellent monthly rates, and no long term
commitment or setup fees. We'll set that up for you, usually for six or twelve months at
a time.
Website Design & Development: Armed with a name and a
place to host your website, now you need some content that describes the
"who, what, where, when, and why" of your business or
organization. We'll take your information and perhaps your logo and
design a series of pages and tie them together with a navigation system to
move around within your website. We can use any information that's
already in electronic form, such as word processing files, digital photos,
flyers, etc. Alternatively, we'll take your notes or sketches as a
starting point in the process. And then there's metadata.
Search engines (large Internet databases similar to phonebook yellow
pages) use metadata to collect information from your website and make it
available on the Web. Basically, metadata are keywords like
"fishing", "Chesapeake Bay", "cameras" that
lead potential customers to your website. With your help, we'll
identify appropriate metadata and imbed it in your website.
Graphics Support: We can scan paper photos or manipulate
digital photos for use on your website. We can scan typewritten
documents or flyers and capture text or artwork. If you're local to
southern Maryland, we can visit your location with our digital cameras to
capture your signage or storefront, etc. Any and all graphics used
within your website will be optimized and prepared in an appropriate file
type. Optimization is a process that takes into account the fact
that computer monitors have resolution limits. It is vitally
important that any graphics used within your website are prepared to
minimize loading time, with little sacrifice in quality. As an
example, the bay scene component of the graphic at the top of this page
started out as five separate photos that were stitched together into one
panoramic file that was then optimized to less than one percent of its
original size.
Website Maintenance: All websites need periodic updates,
whether monthly or annual. We can usually satisfy your needs within
two-four business days. If you're dissatisfied with your current
webmaster or web host provider, we can migrate your existing website to
our preferred service and most likely save you some money.
Search Engine Submission: Although not required, it's a good
idea to register your website with search engines. For better or
worse, there are thousands of search engines out there, some large and
some small, some general and some targeted. For a nominal annual
fee, we'll submit your website to a listing or registration service that
will "advertise" your website on the World Wide Web. You
should know that competition for top listings is fierce, and there is no
end to the variety of services (and expenses) you can employ to move up in
the ranks.
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