What Type of Presence to Establish?
When it comes to establishing your business on the World Wide Web, you will find many options available to you. Below is a summary of
things to consider.
Web page - The starting point for all
forms of Web presence — your online "Hello, World."
Domain name - One possibility to consider is the registration of a domain name for your
business. A personalized Web address for your business and your business
only simplifies the task of remembering who and what you are online,
and it also shows that you're serious about the Web. There's a big difference
between Mybusiness.com and SomeService.Corporate.Cust112-a.Mybusiness.Com.
Content - What info can you provide online that you currently provide by
other means
or not at all?
Selling - What sorts of content could you provide that might encourage
someone
looking at your Web page to purchase your products or services?
Maintenance - Most Web users prefer sites that are dynamic
— that is, that change with time, with the addition of newer info and
removal of that which is no longer accurate or applicable. How will your
business handle the maintenance of your Web page once
created?
Advertising - From search engines to banner or button
online advertisements to printing the address of your Web page on your
business card, getting the word out about your site and attracting
visitors are essential. Some of the major forms of ‘advertising' that help
bring visitors to your site are:
- Search engines: These
can bring motivated visitors looking for your business in particular or
all businesses of a similar nature offering a particular product. The
Advocate Online can help you register with all the major search
engines.
- Banners and buttons: These online advertisements bring curious visitors from other Web pages as well as
visitors seeking a particular product that come across your online ad. Advertising on ColumbusChildcare.com
can bring a large demographic to your site.
- Non-Web-based advertising: This form of advertising attracts a variety of visitors,
depending upon the venue from which they learned your Web page's address. It's
important to note, however, that for non-Web-based advertising, a domain
name is essential. Expecting a customer to remember and/or accurately
type a 40-character Web address is a losing proposition. Consider
advertising in Web address listing by calling
Lisa Busceme at 225.388.0119.
Clarity - Web philosophy is one that emphasizes reliability, ease of use and simplicity over the frequently distracting, overly chaotic glitz many Web sites succumb to. Our clean, informative style has earned us many dedicated visitors and helps ensure that the messages of our advertisers don't become drowned out by loud, hyperactive page designs.
Regional focus - While our audience is most concentrated in the areas where ColumbusChildcare.com has long been the newspaper of choice, it still spans the globe, with visitors from as far away as Indonesia and Argentina.
Competitive rates - You'll find our rates for advertising links as well as design services to be competitive for this area, as well as Web-wide.
Skilled staff - With a dedicated, experienced staff devoted to the development of ColumbusChildcare.com, as well as the online presence of our clients, the New Media division can offer unparalleled support and assistance, which can go a long way toward demystifying the often-confusing Web.
