Do I really need to pay attention to my keywords and SEO? Explaining why a website needs keywords is like explaining why a bird needs wings. Although some designers will tell you that keywords are ‘not that important anymore’, a quick check of Google’s help section will tell you that they are still very important. Google is a great source of information on it’s own search engine. I suggest you read the Google documents regarding search engines. While there are other engines out there, Google is the most used and is a benchmark for search engine optimization.
Farm and Business Websites – Only $350!
We specialize in web sites for farms and businesses related to the horse industry. If you are thinking of getting a website and need advice, we can provide that as well. We specialize in Word Press sites that are as easy to edit as an email and VERY cost effective. New Word Press sites include set up of the site, 2 hours of personal instruction on how to operate the control panel for your site, hosting and technical support for 1 year. You get all this PLUS 100% control over your own site for only $350! After the first year, hosting is only $55. We also offer services like search engine optimization and keyword usage.
Hosting – What do you really need?
After you have a domain name, the next pruchase for your website is hosting. Your web designer may suggest a host they have an affiliation with already. This is a good idea because the designer will be familiar with the layout of the control panel and the resources available from that host.
If you are trying to decide on a host, here are some things to consider:
- Reliability – check to be sure that your host has a nearly perfect up time record.
- Name Servers – there should be several name servers available to service your account. At least 2 on the hosting site and at least 1 off site.
First Steps To A Website – Part 2 Hiring a Designer
Deciding on a designer and manager for your website can determine if you are happy with the result and your web experience or if it seems like a never-ending disaster. Here are a few things you can consider:
- How experienced is the designer? Ask to see some of their work.
- What is their reputation? Ask to talk to some current clients.
- Does the designer agree with your needs for the site?
- Discuss a time frame for the construction. What are your expectations?
First Steps To A Website – Part 3 Domain Selection
In the last article, we talked a little bit about why you might want a website. Let’s explore that a little more and then discuss domain names.
Have you decided on your objective? It’s a good time to get that clear and sharp in your mind. If you will be paying someone to develop your website, this is important information to have available. It will be hard to create a website for you without this decision!
Domain name selection is very important to your success with search engines. While it is obvious that you will probably want to use your business name, there are other considerations. First, does your domain name use keywords that describe your business? Second, does it describe your business in some other way?
Chances are that if you are just starting a website, your name is not quite as well known as the products already on the web. Take for instance a new restaurant called Green Pines Cafe. Although it’s not a bad name, it hardly says it’s a restaurant specializing in southern comfort food in downtown New York. While I suggest purchasing the actual name of the business if possible, I would also suggest adding a couple more to maximize your chances of success. How about southerncomfortfoodnyc.com? Maybe newyorksouthernfood.com? The idea is to add domains that use the keywords visitors are likely to use in their search for your services. A displaced southerner, staying in New York is dying for a plate of bacon, eggs, grits and biscuits covered in gravy. He might type in those ingredients, he might use ‘country breakfast’ and ‘New York’. A website with the domain newyorkcountrybreakfast.com might just be the best trail to find the restaurant.
Do a little research on your own: type in your keywords. What sites come up? Are the sites that come up your competition? Makes some notes for next time and we will talk about what you need to look for in keywords. Also notice the pros and cons about some of those websites.
Lastly, where do you buy a domain? At The Elegant Esuestrian, we use and recommend GoDaddy.com for all our clients. It is easy to use, secure and have great customer support.
Click here for a special domain deal from GoDaddy!
First Steps To a Website – Introduction
Some businesses need a website to distribute information about their services or products. Others need to sell products or services or collect information. In the beginning of (web) time, the internet was designed to spread information, the web was primarily used by universities and the technical community to exchange files and ideas. Later, that functionality fell by the way side with sites getting larger and more complex and therefore less accessible for the average person. Later on, we will talk about how the average person can now start their own website inexpensively and with just a little know how.
Welcome to Our New Website!
Welcome to The Elegant Equestrian! This is our new webside, designed completely in WordPress. WordPress is the hottest new content system available and is used world-wide by bloggers. It is also available in a version for individual use and can be customized extensively. The most important feature is the ability to easily update, easily upload and share all kinds of information. It enables the client to participate in their own website. Websites are no longer just the domain of the designer.
