Design:
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The first task in any web development is deciding what the site should do. What do you, the owner, want it to accomplish?
Should it simply establish your presence ?
Then it would require little updating other than keeping it from becoming dated and simple maintenance to insure its links were current etc.
Do you want to share up datable information, entice users to return
and be easily found by search engines?In this case, in addition to the web work, someone must be responsible for content. You want viewers returning for new information and if they are disappointed they won't be back. It should also be designed with ease of update in mind. Search engines look for often updated sites for their listing hierarchy.
Do you want to make money?
If so you can't just set it out there and expect it to run itself. just as a store location needs a manager who oversees and makes marketing decisions, someone must do the same here. Just because it is virtual doesn't mean its not a store with all the requirements of a store.
These are sampling of things to be thought of before beginning.
Now your web site is designed and each page consists of a separate document. At least two additional components are needed.
1. Registered Domain Name
When you register your domain name it is assigned an IP address which is a series of numbers. These numbers are used by the web to locate your site when someone tries to access it via the internet. The fee varies. Many internet service providers offer a reduced price for registration as an incentive to use them.
A domain name must be re registered every every so often depending on your contract. It is your responsibility to reregister your domain name and important to do it on time as there are those out there waiting to snap up your name and "sell" it back to you. Once it has expired all connections to your site cease working.
2. Internet Service Provider
This is a company with large computers which hosts your site and stores your actual files. When you sign on with them the registering company aligns your IP address with that company. If you change hosts the registration people must be notified and will re align your number with the new host.
Hosting services charge by the month. They all have various plans, depending on the size and needs of the site. A beginning account is good for most basic sites and can be upgraded if need be. E commerce sites usually cost more per month. When you sign up with a host you will be given a user ID and password. Some hosts supply services others don't. It is important to make sure your host supplies the services needed for your type of site. How data is stored, how files are uploaded, how you access information about site usage are all important considerations in choosing a host.
A domain name and host account may be set up by the client or the designer, however it should be registered in the client’s name and both parties need three items; the host’s name, the user ID and the password. The client needs this information as owner of the account and the designer needs it for access in uploading and maintaining the site.
The owner of the site should keep a file with the basic information pertaining to their domain registration and host provider.
Your designer should be able to advise you on these decisions.
