"Thinking About Getting a Web Site?"
Excerpts from one of several articles published by
Brian Leggee, Founder and Chief Technology Officer
at Responsive Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA

OK let's face it - the Internet is here to stay. Instant access, low cost, immediately up-to-date, there's dozen's of reasons why. How do you take advantage of this internet explosion to help build your small business or private practice?

Twenty years ago, consumers looking for products may browse the local Yellow Pages for information and resources. Today, many consumers (read as "potential clients") reach for their PC and browse through the Internet to help them locate resources. Those business people with a solid "Web presence", or visibility on the Web, will reap their share of new business.

First, if you are a PC super-user, then great…however one does not need to know anything about the Internet or computers to have their own Web Site. You don't even need to own a PC. With a little help from firms like San Diego-based Responsive Technologies (www.ResponsiveTech.com), you can be up and running in no time, so that anyone browsing the web can find your business!

Second, you may already be listed in several places on the Internet - that's great. The more exposure, the better. Like any business, though, you should have your own, complete web site, listed under a name that you choose. For example, a Certified Public Accountant named John Smith may want a Web Site called "www.JohnSmithCPA.com". Having your own dedicated site lends credibility to your business, and shows much better than being listed under another company's Web Site, such as "www.AOL.com/johnsmithCPA". Additional, you would have your own email address that will never change, such as "info@JohnSmithCPA.com".

Third, and very important, your site must be set-up so that when someone searches the Internet using one of several popular "Search Engines", they will find your web site. It does no good to have a Web Site that looks great, but that no one finds when they browse the Internet! It would be like placing a Yellow Page Ad, and then not listing your ad under any particular heading! The company that 'hosts' your Web Site (that is, loads your Web Site onto their systems for access by anyone on the Internet), should be knowledgeable in ways to make sure your Site is found by anyone searching the web. For those that are curious, there are Keywords, Meta tags, robot text files, multiple index.htm's, hidden text, Alt tags, Page ReDirection, URL keywords,…whew! Choosing the right firm to host your site, that is willing to handle your Search Engine placement, is very important! A reputable firm will supply actual statistics for your site, which will tell you the number of visitors to each of your web site pages.