How To Win on the Web
CHOOSE AN ARCHITECT:
-- Most access providers design for $50 to $100 per hour. Some freelancers or college students are less expensive and equally competent. Go to sites they designed.
-- To do it yourself, buy a book on hypertext markup language or bypass HTML with new software. Microsoft Front Page, Adobe Pagemill, and Ventana Hot Metal cost less than $200.
GET A HOST:
-- A server connecting to the Net costs thousands of dollars, so most small firms rent. This averages $100 a month, but can exceed $1,000, depending on the number of pages and hits. Visit a site on the server to see how fast it comes up.
PICK A NAME:
-- Choose a name that's short and easy to type.
-- InterNIC Registry Service (703 742-4777), will ''sell'' you one for two years for $100. Registration takes a week or two.
DESIGN YOUR ENTRYWAY:
-- Your home page should include a few buttons linking to pages with more information about executives, your address and phone number, jobs available, merchandise for sale.
-- Go easy on graphics. Many computers can't download them; others move slowly. Build in an option to see the text only.
KEEP IT LIVELY:
-- Update the content and change it frequently. Offer prizes, trivia. Be prepared to fill orders and answer E-mail.
REACH OUT:
-- Register early with search engines, such as Yahoo! or Lycos. It could take two months. Some sites build in multiple mentions of keywords, so they crop up first.
MEASURE SUCCESS:
-- Record hits by time, origination, and pages viewed. Ask visitors to sign a guest book.
Return to main story
| 
