The norm these days is for businesses to have a web presence. It is almost a given now that when you mention your business name, or hand out your business card, people expect you to have a website listed. So the pressure is on most small business owners to "get on the web". So they hastily contract out the building of the killer website and end up paying a lot more that they should.

There are some very basic steps to consider when you make a decision to have a website and these steps actually demand your attention before you even contact a website designer or developer.

• First, why do you think your business needs a website? Is it really necessary based on your target audience? Who are you serving and are they likely to use the internet to conduct business with you?
• What ideas do you want you website to contain? Is it strictly informational in nature where you provide product, service, searchable database, pricing, pictures and contact information? Or are you a full e-commerce oriented business requiring a shopping cart, credit card payments etc.?
• What are your goals for your site? Are you intending to sell online or just provide an avenue for extending support to your customers?
• What resources do you think you need and can adequately devote to the new website? It is not just about putting up web pages. Websites need maintenance and updates and these could turn expensive very quickly if you do not have a plan upfront. You will need someone to update your information with business-centric materials on an on-going basis.
• Do you have a domain registered? What is the name you have chosen and does it represent your business logic? Are you hosting the website yourself or using a third party? Are there long-term contracts involved and do you know who the contact people are at the registrar.

Once you have some of these questions answered, it will be alot easier to contact a web designer or developer and work out the details of getting your site online.

To learn more about Managed Services, please contact Tech Prognosis at 1 (512) 814-8044

Goodluck.